We’ve been thinking about invisible robbers who steal your contentment. Yesterday, I highlighted some studies about social media use and how it can bring down your mood. Unfortunately, by constantly seeing what people post, we can fall into a trap of perpetual comparison and envy. As a result, it can drag us down. Because of … Continue reading Feeding the envy beast
contentment
Social media torture = less contentment
We’ve been thinking about invisible robbers who steal your contentment. And more specifically, one who tries to convince you to put too much stock in (a) comparing yourself to others (in person or online), and (b) the judgments and criticisms of others. It’s definitely a big topic. Alain de Bottom wrote a book about “Status … Continue reading Social media torture = less contentment
Cheerleading envy, losing the farm, and Jesus
This week I’ve been talking about how spiritually RICH we are because of our identity in Jesus and all the eternal and spiritual blessings he gives us. It’s good to ruminate on this perspective-shifting fact because our society spins and weaves a different story: that material things are more important than spiritual things. I heard … Continue reading Cheerleading envy, losing the farm, and Jesus
Having it all
Yesterday I highlighted something that can rob us of our contentment: always being reminded of what others have (but we don’t). We can sometimes feel bitter when think other people have better stuff, better experiences, better relationships, and better everything. But when you focus on what you DO have you’re less likely to be downcast … Continue reading Having it all
Being a spiritual billionaire
Something that robs us of our contentment is always being reminded of what others have (but we don’t). It has to do with envy, which Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung describes as “feeling bitter when others have it better.”* Can you relate? Come on, be honest. We can sometimes feel bitter when think other people have better … Continue reading Being a spiritual billionaire
The pleasure button
Hi everyone! As many of you know, I’ve been on vacation. And after a two-week break the Up! devotional is back! On this last Monday in August let me share a thought: Dr. Robert Galbraith Heath did some research on human behaviour. Electrodes were placed on areas of patients’ brains. When a button was pushed, … Continue reading The pleasure button
The Rat Race
There's a section from a children’s book called Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH which is an insightful commentary on 1 Timothy 6:6-8 which says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we … Continue reading The Rat Race
The situation you’re ALREADY in
Apollo 13 was a movie starring Tom Hanks about a lunar mission that went off the rails. Remember that iconic line? “Houston, we have a problem.” While in space, the three astronauts started to run out of oxygen. To help find a solution, a ground crew back on earth worked feverishly to try and design makeshift … Continue reading The situation you’re ALREADY in
The chains of entitlement
Having a sense of entitlement can be a huge problem for those of us who live in places like North America and Europe. The more we have the more we seem to want. And the more we have the more we seem to think we have to have. And the more we have, the more we … Continue reading The chains of entitlement
Greed is living like God is a liar
In the book “Money: A User’s Manual” Bob and Rusty Russell report that in 1900 the average person wanted 72 different things and considered 18 of them essential. Someone repeated the study more recently. The average person wanted 500 things and considered 100 of them essential! And do you know what? I get it. I’m … Continue reading Greed is living like God is a liar
