The '-er problem'

First, let me tell you the phrase ‘-er problem’ is not original.  I came across it several weeks ago in an online devotional and posted it without the source above my laptop to remind me it affects us all, myself included.  It is like the ’foot disease’ boat owners often contract and ‘the grass is greener over the fence’ experienced by farm animals.  It is the undercurrent of dissatisfaction with our condition in life caused by the desire to have more and newer and bigger and to be admired for being ‘whatever-er’ than other people.
 
Of course, some of my ‘-ers’ are good for me:   I wish I were thinner, healthier, stronger.  Some can spur me to strive to improve myself:  I wish I were more out-going, more compassionate, more knowledgeable.  Even those can cause me to obsess, to experience anxiety when I don’t see progress, or to feel a sense of failure when I back slide.
 
For years I have worn one or two bangles made of ox horn costing about $0.10 USD each purchased at markets in Uganda.  I wear them to remind me of my sisters and brothers around the world who have so much less than I have.  They remind me the ‘-er problem’ related to the material things in my life are blessings to share and enjoy. They remind me becoming more Christ-like is the only ‘-er problem’ to strive to overcome, with help of the Holy Spirit, of course.
 
I looked up a few Bible verses to help me overcome the ‘-er probem’. 

• Ecclesiaster 1:8  Everything is wearisome beyond description.  No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied.  No matter how much we hear, we are not content.
• Luke 3:14  “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.  John replied, “don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”
• Philippians 4:11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.
• 1 Timothy 6:8  So, if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
• 1 Timothy 6:6  Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.    
• Philippians 4:6  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.