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I sized up the smaller portions on my plate. I wanted to grumble about what I couldn’t have, but the verses I’d read wouldn’t let me.

I stared at the plate of food in front of me: a single chicken leg, a baked potato, and a forest of broccoli. I normally ate twice that amount and often returned for seconds, but there would be no seconds today. I needed to lose weight for my health, but was finding it difficult to buckle down and make the changes. I’d spent an hour scouring the Bible for diet encouragement, but no one in the Bible was trying to lose weight. Passages that mentioned food were usually about God providing it and people being grateful for it.

Although there was less food on my plate, my plate was full. There was also plenty of food in the refrigerator and in the pantry—so much food that I had been able to eat and eat until my extra-large pants had grown uncomfortably tight.

I set aside my groaning, thanked God for His provision, and took a bite. Delicious. I ate slowly, savoring the textures and flavors and thanking God for taste buds and spices. I felt more satisfied at the end of that meal than I normally did with a plate heaped high.

Focusing on what I can’t or don’t have leaves me feeling empty and discontent. When I focus on what I do have and thank God for it, my outlook on life changes. Gratitude breeds satisfaction. I think that’s why we’re told repeatedly to thank the Lord. God provides for our needs, but He knows we’ll never be content with His provision unless we take time to thank Him.

If you’re dissatisfied with an area of your life, take a few minutes to thank God for what He’s provided—even if it doesn’t feel like enough. Gratitude makes a small portion look plentiful. 

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)