How to Enjoy Life with What You Have

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s. EXODUS 20:17 ESV

Comparison is the thief of joy

How to enjoy life with what you have

Recognize the potential dangers of more

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. ECCLESIASTES 5:10 ESV

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. PSALM 90:12 NIV

Become the best version of yourself

Stop criticizing your body, and take care of it
Develop the skills you have
Stop competing with everyone else
Do your best, and let God handle the rest

Invest in the relationships that you have

Single: Become a good friend
Married: Spend at least as much time thanking God for your spouse as you do criticizing them
Kids: Love and lead who your kids are, not who you wish they were

Learn to enjoy today

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. PSALM 118:24 ESV

Accept the challenge
Laugh at what goes wrong
Learn from your mistakes
Be the first to apologize

Thank God for what he has given you

At the moment I have all I need—and more! … PHILIPPIANS 4:18 NLT

So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 TIMOTHY 6:8 NLT

Contentment is the opposite of covetousness

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. PHILIPPIANS 4:11 NLT

Nothing can satisfy you except God

The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; … PROVERBS 19:23 ESV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to slow down, offering to Jesus any burdens from the day. Prayerfully invite God into this time, asking Him to help you be real with yourself and Him in this moment. What percentage of your time do you spend focusing on what you have versus what you don’t have? Ask God to show you the blessings you’re missing out on by focusing on the blessings someone else has. Is there anything you need to eliminate, or any practice you need to add in order to compare less? Next, take a few minutes to write down as many things as you can think of that you are grateful for. Focus specifically on your relationships: if married, list things you love about your spouse. If you have kids, list qualities of theirs that you love and want to affirm. Extend this “gratitude list” to those material things and life experiences God has blessed you with. Close your time with a simple prayer of thanks to God. Share your list with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

REAL WITH SELF: What would you consider your level of joy in your life on a scale from 1-5? If you struggle with joy, when have you let comparison steal your joy? 

REAL WITH GOD: When have you received something you desired for a long time, only to find out that it did not satisfy you? What do you think God was trying to teach you?

REAL WITH SELF: What barriers are preventing you from becoming the best version of yourself? What could you do to begin removing those barriers?

REAL WITH GOD: What keeps you from being fully present? What might God have for you as you work on staying more present with what’s right in front of you (relationships, circumstances, possessions)?

REAL WITH OTHERS: Our best selves are meant to bless others; what is a relationship you sense you need to invest more in? What is the first step you can take this week to do this?

TAKE ACTION: Read PHILIPPIANS 4:18 NLT. What does your practice of being thankful look like? Share with God and your group some things you’re grateful for in your life. Then, take some time this week to let your spouse, kids, and/or close friends know what qualities of theirs you’re grateful for.