How To Be Happy and Healthy

Reference: Proverbs 14:30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

Observation: It is hard not to live in jealousy in our world. We are told day after day, time after time that we ought to have what others have. The "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" are pushed into our faces constantly. The result is that many of us live with a low level of anxiety nearly all the time. We have a vague sense that we are missing out on something we ought to have.

Healthy living comes from living in peace. Peace comes from knowing that God has your life in His control and that He will provide for you all that you need. There is simply no reason for jealousy. We will never know the difficulties that those who have more go through. Perhaps they are under stress to pay for and maintain all that they have. Perhaps that are constantly worried about it. Perhaps they have to work more than they should and that negatively effects their family.

We can only see the outside, what they have, not what it costs them.

It is far better to work on having a peaceful contented heart, trusting in God’s faithful provision. Then we will be healthy in mind and body.

Application/Confession: I wish I was free from covetousness and jealousy. I, unfortunately, am not. I realize that it cost me something to be this way. It costs me a certain level of happiness and contentment with life. I want to learn the balance of praying and believing with passion for God’s provision for me and my family and, on the other hand, living in peace and acceptance for what He has given me.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you for the ways you have provided for my family. Help me to be happy and content with your provision. Yet, Lord, I am still looking to You to bless us even further, not because I am jealous of anyone or anything but because You simply love to do good things for your kids.