Pain That Went Away

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:10-13

“Oh, Mom, pleeease!” begged Nayori as she scrolled through a webpage on her mom’s laptop. “Please get me one of these cool sweatshirts! Everyone at school has one!”

As she spoke, they heard a loud cry, and her little brother came out of the playroom.

“I got hurt!” Sebastian sobbed. “I pinched my finger, and it hurts so bad!”

“Which finger is it?” asked Mom, taking Sebastian’s hand in hers.

Sebastian paused, looked at his hand, and wiggled his fingers. “I can’t remember,” he said, looking surprised. “I guess it doesn’t hurt anymore!” Grinning, he turned and went back to play.

Nayori burst out laughing. “Some injury! He couldn’t even remember which finger got pinched!”

Mom turned to Nayori. “Do you remember telling me last September that you would ‘just die’ unless I bought something you thought you needed?”

“Um…not really,” Nayori said. “What did I want?”

“A pair of shoes—a kind you said everyone was wearing. The ones I bought for you looked almost the same but cost half as much. You complained for a week or two. Then you dropped the subject. Why?”

Nayori blushed. “Well, I…I guess I forgot about it.” She frowned. “You’re saying if I don’t get this sweatshirt now, I’ll soon forget how much I wanted it too, aren’t you?”

Mom nodded. “It’s not wrong to want nice things, but we need to remember those things will never satisfy us. It’s so easy to forget about stuff we want because there’s always something newer and better to replace it. That’s why the Bible tells us to learn to be content with what we have, because as Christians, we already have the only thing that will ever satisfy us—eternal life with Jesus!”

Mom gave Nayori a hug. “I know it’s hard to want things and not be able to have them, but like Sebastian, I think you’ll find your injury is not as bad as you think it is. Instead, focus on what you do have—a relationship with Jesus, who loves you and promises to provide you with everything you need. If you do that, I have a feeling the pain of not having what you want will soon go away.”

Nayori sighed. “Okay, Mom. I’ll try.” -Sherry L. Kuyt

How About You?

Are there things you feel you simply must have in order to be happy? Think of something you really wanted in the past. Whether you got it or not, do you still think about it? Or is there something else you want now? Things do not bring happiness. Only Jesus can satisfy our souls. If you know Him as your Savior, you have all you need to be truly satisfied and content.

Today’s Key Verse:
Philippians 4:11 I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Today’s Key Thought:

Learn to be content