We had a “tiny” kitchen where we rented once. Two people trying to use it at the same time posed a formidable obstacle to peace and harmony. My wife reminded me of something vital: “There are lots of people in the world who would really want this kitchen.” Why do we complain about our lot in life? Why are we always on the prowl for more and better stuff than we currently possess? And, if we were in deep poverty, but possessed the riches of His saving grace, would we think of ourselves as truly “blessed”? If God’s only gift to us was saving us from hell, would we be content?

Paul had a thorn in his side. Life was abrasive and it hurt. He plead for the Lord to remove it. God’s answer was blunt, yet unexpectedly comforting: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). None of us knows what will befall us in life. But of one thing we should be absolutely certain: God loves us! He sent His Son to die for us. He gave us “the indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15). Having accomplished the incredible task of saving us from His wrath, how can we wish for more? It’s like a king of a vast domain giving us his daughter’s hand in marriage, the crown of the realm, and all its possessions, and yet we remain discontented wanting more! What’s wrong with us?

Self. We think we are the center of it all. Everything should revolve around us. We become upset if our plans are thwarted. We want the vacation of our dreams. We want the biggest house and fanciest cars. We want peace and prosperity, and lots of it. How dare He give us a “thorn in the flesh” to chide us from our selfish pursuits. We sadly forget (or never knew) that there is but one throne and King. Do we hear Paul: “lest I be exalted above measure”? We may go through life and be badly treated and the reason may be the same as Paul’s need. We may suffer in grinding poverty. We may have a foreign army conquer our land and subjugate our future to theirs. We may bitterly weep for the slain of our people. There may be no food in the fields. And if all of this happened to us, and more, would we still count ourselves “blessed”? It kicks us, doesn’t it, to complain about anything that befalls us in this life? His saving grace is both sufficient and a great solace for whatever hardships we face. We need nothing more. Food and clothing, He’ll provide. Anything more tends to exalt us and cause us to forget Him (cf. Deut. chapter 8).

Remember well Habakkuk’s words: “Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls - yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation (3:17,18).