'This isn't fair'

Frustration can be defined easily this way: What I expect to happen doesn't. What I do not expect to happen does.

The book of Joshua records a conversation between the tribe of Joseph and Joshua, the leader, that is clouded in a feeling of frustration. A feeling driven by envy that blinds them to the blessings they have already been given.

Here is the story. Joshua is allotting certain tracts of land to each of the Hebrew tribes.

When he comes to the people of Joseph, he assigns them a certain tract of land that cultivates a feeling of disappointment.

The people come to him saying, "Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?" (Joshua 17:14).

In other words, "Our expectations are not being met. What you are offering is not enough. It is not fair; we are frustrated and deserve something better."

Often we find ourselves in similar positions, comparing ours to theirs.

Their car still has that new car smell. Yours, the odor of post-soccer game socks.

Their kid is on the honor roll, the star athlete and always so helpful. Your kid groans and drags his feet when told to hang up his coat.

"It's not fair," you tell yourself. "I am better than they are; I have a greater need than they do; I deserve that."

The people of Joseph were so envious of what the others had that they became blinded to the blessings they had already received.

They saw what they deserved and did not have instead of what they had and did not deserve.

Their numerous people were a problem and a reason they needed more.

Joshua saw their numbers as a blessing and strength enabling to meet a need that only they could.

Frustration born out of envy blinds us from seeing what God has blessed us with.

To combat envy, we must count our blessings.

We must remember and offer thanksgiving for what we have been given.

When we focus the eyes of our heart on what others have, we not only miss what God has blessed us with, but also cannot see how he can use those blessings for our good and his glory.

As the old hymn says, "Count your blessings; it will surprise you what God has done."