Do you live a life of “I want,” or “I have”?
The person who lives the life of “I want” is always thinking about what they
want and how to get it, maybe even expecting God to give it to them, or demanding that God give it to them.
I want a different job, more money, a boyfriend, a sexier body, more attention from others…. And the list goes on and on.
The danger of embracing an “I want” mentality is that what you want and what God figures you need next may not be the same thing. Like the husband who wants his wife to be more cooperative. Before the “I want” desire is worthy of fulfillment, the husband perhaps first needs to express more thoughtfulness and affection, more gentleness and understanding. To force the issue and press for a selfish want before the higher spiritual demand is met leads to conflict, frustration, discouragement, and unhappiness.
The “I want” mentality generates an endless parade of unsatisfied desires. There is never enough. There is never the right situation or condition. Something is always missing. Success remains out of reach over and over again.
The “I have” thinker, however, leads a life of peace and contentment. She is not always looking at what she doesn’t have. She is looking at what she does have. And, spiritually considered, she has everything she needs coming from God to be well, feel well, and live well.
The “I have” thinker is filled with gratitude for what he knows God has already given him—the ability to be happy with or without a material thing or condition, the ability to love and feel love independent of what others are expressing around him, a knowledge and demonstration that God answers his prayers before he makes a request.
The “I have” person doesn’t feel needy. She doesn’t have wants; she has blessings. And she counts those blessings regularly. She is content, grateful and able to share freely. She is not like an empty shell needing to be filled up. She is a generous fountain of inspiration bubbling over with refreshment that others can take in and benefit from too.
Are you an “I want” or an “I have” today?
“Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more” (Mary Baker Eddy, S&H 3:22-24).
I think all of us has the thinking of “I WANT,” at one time or another. That’s what’s called human nature. But as my understanding of C/S grew, I slowly but not completely yet, began to think and thank God for, al the things that “I HAVE.” And happier and more satisfied for it.
Just yesterday I was feeling a little discouraged and wondered why if my life was so filled up with good things. I noticed that my mind was focused on lack, lack of interaction with people … in other words, love.
So I started to pray recognizing God loving me completely, letting myself be loved.
In the first seconds it was not so easy, but then the spiritual thought took over and I got a healing. Started to feel better and joyful. Needless to say, as I got into the dancing class colleagues that never talked to me, suddenly were talking and it was very nice !
The ability to love and feel love is in my opinion top 3 biggest gifts someone can own. And it´s a talent that should be developped as it overrides any material condition.
yes solange i agree! it is so freeing to know I have enough, and to feel love 1st so I can give love freely, makes for joyful fulfilled in the moment living. thank you again Evan!