I want, I want...

"I want, I want!", "That's mine", "I want!" Its all I hear from the begging, screaming children (and many adults) in the supermarket.

Why is it that we always want what we can't have, what we can't afford and what everyone else has got?

Why do we allow ourselves to feel jealousy and even act upon that green-eyed monster? Even when we know that the other person deserves the object, time, person or even praise. When we know we should feel happy for them and yet instead we feel the pangs of jealousy spring up within our souls.

I will be honest here, I can be and have been a very jealous person!

I was at a wedding the other week, where my best friend from school was getting married. Not the best place to be when your single, all the couples sitting together etc...

As the music starts and she walks down the isle, as well as feeling so happy for her, I felt jealousy creep up inside of me, wishing it was me getting married (not to her husband to be though). However realising and recognising this feeling allowed me to let go and have fun and just be really happy and pleased for her.

Sometimes we need to recognise the things we want and realise that it isn't ever about what we want but what we need. And that is God gives us!

He provides us with everything.... everything we need!

As all good mothers say "I want never gets!"

But "I need" does!

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

I was made weak that I might obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given grace that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I had asked for,but everything that I had hoped for.

My prayer was answered, I was most blessed.

Unknown Confederate soldier

Sometimes we need to realise that all the things we feel jealous of will not bring us enjoyment of life, but only Life from God that we can enjoy all things.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (New International Version)