Literature is full of stories that offer explanations of why things happen. Shakespeare presented Romeo and Juliet as star-crossed lovers, i.e., their deaths were driven by the “unlucky” positions of various heavenly bodies. The Greeks believed in three Fates, powerful women who controlled all human lives; the Romans believed in Fortuna, the goddess of luck. People talk about kismet and destiny, but these are just feeble attempts to explain away the actual twin drivers of our experiences: God’s working and our own choices.

How you feel about your life is not out of your hands. Your life attitude is your choice! St. Paul discovered the secret to daily joy in living: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13). 

Through the insights provided by Scripture, we can see that we actually deserve nothing, that all we have is a gift from God to bless us and give us a role in his agenda. We can banish envy and actually enjoy other people’s prosperity. We can be proud of what we’ve accomplished and let go of our guilt at where we’ve failed. 

We can enjoy each day, knowing that we are loved, forgiven, and immortal.