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I was at Disneyland the other day, inside one of their shops. There was a little girl there with her parents, who had just forked out over $100 for a princess dress and accessories. Where was she? In the corner, crying over a tiny lollipop her parents had said no to.

My first thought was, “How ungrateful! Doesn’t she know that her parents have planned this trip for her, paid the airfare, the hotel cost, the admission for the park, and a hefty price for the outfit she is currently pouting in?” Well, fact is, she doesn’t understand that; she is very young and is still learning. She will even let that one little thing ruin the moment and possibly her day.

The truth is, we can be just like that little girl. Don’t we know God has planned something for us? He has given us His Son, salvation, the Holy Spirit, eternal life!—not to mention all the personal blessings He was bestowed: our family, our health, our gifts and talents, our friendships, and a beautiful world to enjoy.

Yet it’s far too easy to complain about what we don’t have: Why can’t I look like that? Or have that car? That place in ministry? That paycheck?

When we are in that frame of mind, we are losing sight of all that God has already done for us, and we are missing out! We are crying over a tiny lollipop instead of enjoying everything God has done and appreciating the plan He has laid out for our lives. He has so much more for us and we are far more fulfilled when we take our eyes off ourselves and serve others and have a heart that is singing with thanksgiving.

I challenge you to resolve in your heart, whenever you are feeling tempted to complain about what God has said no to, to lift up a prayer of thanksgiving for what He has already given you and accomplished in your life. Don’t be the pouting princess in the corner.

“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  — Colossians 3:17