Reading: Luke 8, Psalm 37:7a-8b

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him. Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

This is the second time Psalm 37 directs us not to fret over the apparent success of those who operate in deceit. The word “fret” refers to the inner agitation and anxiety that arises when we see manipulators succeed.

But this inner anxiety can also result from spending too much time looking at anyone who appears to be enjoying success and freedom when we are not. No generation has had to contend with envy, jealousy, and insecurity like we do today.

Our access to other people’s lives through hand-held technology subjects us to an unending barrage of news feeds, posts, reels, videos, ads, and influencer culture. All these voices are expertly crafted with algorithms designed to make us feel insecure about ourselves and envy those who appear to have what we lack.

Today's economy is based on injecting dissatisfaction into our souls, lust in our hearts, and the promise of happiness via “3 easy payments” into our minds. The “Fear of Missing Out” creates an anxiety that drives many of us to abandon paths we should be on, spend money we don’t have, and chase recognition we don’t need. But this is an enemy trap.

An anxious heart that fears being left behind or missing out is never at peace. Even when good things happen, our dissatisfaction and worry can steal our joy and rob us of enjoying what is right before us.

God has a better way. If we satisfy our hearts in Jesus and secure ourselves in His love, we can stop worrying about what others have or seem to get away with. The Bible teaches us to “fix our eyes on Jesus and run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1-2).

So, turn your attention to Jesus today. He’s your benchmark. He’s the only one who can truly satisfy our deepest selves. He knows the desires of your heart because He put them there in the first place. Only when we live gratefully in our present and trust Him to fulfill our desires for the future can we fully enjoy them when they arrive.

In prayer today, ask the Lord to show you the roots of your dissatisfaction and anxiety over what you desire but don’t have. What is feeding this discontentment? What are you exposing yourself to that provokes these feelings?

What would it be like to log off from the newsfeeds, ads, and influencers for a while and just live with Jesus gratefully in the life, body, family, home, and career you have now? Let go of the mental traveling to the places and lives of others.

In your journal, list ten things you are thankful for today. Then, as you read them out loud, pause and sincerely thank your heavenly Father for each one. Allow yourself to feel the gift of gratitude.

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