Articles
Looking for Something Better
An insightful quote often attributed to Hiroyuki Sanada says: "There are those who want a swimming pool in their home, while those who have it barely use it. Those who have lost a loved one miss them deeply, while others who hold them close often complain about them. Who doesn't have a partner longs for it, but who has it, sometimes doesn't value it. He who is hungry would give everything for a plate of food, while he who has plenty complains about the taste. The one who doesn't have a car dreams it, while the one who has it always looks for a better one. The key is to be grateful, to stop looking at what we have and to understand that, somewhere, someone would give everything for what you already have and don't appreciate."
Sanada's quote offers profound wisdom on the human tendency to overlook blessings in pursuit of something "better." Whether it’s a home, a loved one, or even something as simple as a meal, we often fail to appreciate the blessings we have right in front of us. This mirrors the biblical truth that God continually reminds us: contentment and gratitude are key to living a life of joy and peace.
The Apostle Paul understood the secret of contentment. In Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV), he writes, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty." Paul's contentment wasn't based on material possessions but on his relationship with Christ.
Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) instructs us to, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a spirit of thankfulness that honors God.
Finally, Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) reminds us to "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" This verse emphasizes that our ultimate source of fulfillment and security should be in God's presence, not in material things.
Let us take a moment today to reflect on our lives. Are we overlooking the "swimming pools" we already have? Are we appreciating our loved ones, our daily bread, and the simple joys of life? Remember, someone else is praying for the very things we might be taking for granted. Thank God for what you have, no matter how small it may seem. Gratitude turns what we have into being enough.
