Several years ago there was a newspaper cartoon that showed two fields separated by a fence. Each field was the same size and each had plenty of lush green grass. In each field there was a mule whose head stuck through the wire, eating grass from the pasture on the other side, even though it was hard to reach. In the process the mules' heads became caught in the fence. They panicked and brayed uncontrollably at being unable to free themselves. The cartoonist wisely described the situation with one word: "Discontent."

Like the mules, when we focus on what we don't have we become blinded to the blessings that surround us. There is nothing wrong with desiring something, but to think that life is greater in someone else's pasture will result in our being trapped. We have new life when we live with humility.