It is extremely important that you enjoy what you have. Think about it. Meditate on it. Concentrate on it. For, if you don’t, you will soon be thinking, meditating, and concentrating on what you don’t have.

   The old slogan, “accentuate the positive,” is sound, and it is essential that we heed its advice if we want to be happy. The Bible puts it this way, Sing and make a melody in your heart. (Ephesians 5:19)

Many people accentuate everything that is negative about themselves and the world in which they live. Perhaps they pride themselves in knowing what is wrong with everything. They hurt themselves, and if permitted, everyone around them. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into their web of doubt and distrust.

   If you spend your life in concentrating on the positive, will you have any influence over the many evils of this world? Yes! In the first place, people will listen to you. Nearly everyone wants to avoid those people who persistently concentrate on everything that is wrong with humanity. Men and women around you are tired of hearing about the failures of mankind. All of us realize that there are gigantic problems in our society. But we also want to know solutions.

   If you are unable to walk, concentrate on what you can do. Can you see, hear, or laugh?

   Perhaps you have an unhappy marriage. Do you and your family enjoy good health? Rejoice in that!

   You may dislike your job – but at least you are not in a hospital or in prison – and you are able to feed your family with your wages. Be glad every time you pass the potatoes at dinner!

   If someone you love doesn’t return your affection, does Jesus also set aside His love for you? Does His perfect love warm and comfort your heart? Do you regularly revel in the bliss of knowing He loves you exactly as you are?

   Has God given you the wonderful gift of loving others? Do you have the means of doing something to help other people? What an opportunity! What a reason for living!

   Enjoy what you have! Enjoy!

   Paul wrote:

   And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (II Corinthians 9:8 NIV)

      And these are God’s promises to you and to me. All His grace and all His gifts. Remember…God wrote these promises to us through a man who endured endless sufferings during his entire Christian life. Yet Paul experienced endless joy in Jesus his Savior because he had learned to enjoy what he had and to be content in every situation.

   I purpose in my heart to enjoy having all God’s gifts in order that I may have an abundance to share with others. (Reprint from January 1990)