Some children are never satisfied. We give them one chocolate and they want two. We bring them to the park for an hour and they want to stay there all afternoon. It’s so irritating! Unfortunately, at times we also act like this with our Heavenly Father.

Human beings always seem to be dissatisfied. We get a new job and for the first few weeks, we are dedicated and happy. But after a few months, we begin to complain about our boss, the salary, the air vents, etc. In short, we forget the joy we had at the beginning and most importantly, we forget the privilege that we felt when we were chosen for this job. We tend to have the same attitude with a new piece of furniture. In the first days, we clean it constantly and we avoid putting anything on it that could scratch it, but after a while, it disappears under a pile of clothes.

As parents, when our children show their dissatisfaction, we correct them quickly. “Appreciate this toy, there are children who do not even have any toys!” As parents, we sometimes become irritated with their complaints, and their requests for more when they do not see their abundance. We can even be sad when we give a gift to our child and they are disappointed because they wanted a bigger one.

Now, have you realized that sometimes, we do the same with what God gives us? David realized it and he asked God to restore the joy of his salvation (Psalms 51:14). He didn’t lose his salvation, he had just lost the joy of it. Thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus, and the love of the Father, we have access to salvation and just that should satisfy us for the rest of our lives. But He adds healing, deliverance, provision, friendship, peace in all circumstances, joy, justice, and the list goes on! As children of God, sometimes we complain with a full belly.

Paul addresses this attitude in his letters to the Philippians. “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need” (Philippians 4:11-12 NASB). This attitude of continual satisfaction pleases the Lord. A parent would just melt in front of a child that says: “Mom, your love is enough for me”. Yes, there are children like that! Don’t you want to melt the heart of your heavenly Father?

This does not mean that you should never ask God for anything. Your heavenly Father is asking you to let Him know your needs (Philippians 4:6), even if He already knows what you need (Matthew 6:32). God also wants us to have an attitude of a conquerer and take possession of all the promises He has made to us (Joshua 18:3). But there is a difference between asking for something and complaining about not having it!

Many singles push away their brothers and sisters in Christ with their complaining. They complain about being alone, complain that their church does not offer them activities for singles, and then complain about the activities that their church organizes for them! They are dissatisfied with all the potential partners that make a move toward them and they are often dissatisfied with their own lives. They don’t realize that as children of God they are just acting like “spoiled brats” and that this attitude certainly saddens the heart of their heavenly Father.

To keep a positive attitude, ask God for what you want, but don’t forget to thank Him for what He has already given you. Appreciate your salvation and even the benefits of being single! Remember that it’s not your partner who will satisfy you, it is in God alone that we are satisfied. “And in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority” (Colossians 2:10 KJV). Offer your future husband or wife someone who is completely happy and satisfied, thanks to a good relationship with God. This way, you will be ready to build beautiful projects together, instead of having to build up each other first.