What is your perspective? - 21 February 2024

One day, a good but poor woman showed up to a wise man and asked, “Sir, my husband, my children and I have to live in one room, and we constantly trip over each other.”

“Buy some chickens,” the wise man suggested. The woman was shocked by the advice. Nevertheless, she followed the man’s suggestion. After a while, she returned, even more unhappy, saying, “Sir, the chickens are clucking and scratching, the children are screaming, and my husband says I’m going crazy.”

“Buy a top cow,” said the wise man. The woman burst into tears, but still followed the wise man’s advice.

The very next day, she returned, saying, “Sir, your advice is asking too much of me. I’m not holy enough.”

“I’m sorry,” said the wise man. “Sell the top cow and get rid of the chickens.”

A few days later, she ran into the wise man. “Sir, that was good advice. Without the top cow and the chickens, life is wonderful. We enjoy the silence and plenty of space. It has never been so good for us!”

There is nothing that heals one’s feeling of dissatisfaction as quickly as hearing about or experiencing a situation worse than the current one. It’s as if it gives us perspective to be grateful for what we have.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we read: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

When was the last time you thanked God for everything you have, instead of complaining about what you don’t have?

Prayer: Father God, thank you very much for holding me in your hands. Please help me to keep perspective when a feeling of dissatisfaction threatens to overwhelm me. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen