“A predominant source of discontent among people is caused by their fight to secure their rights.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell (2016-02-02) from his book, 3 Things Successful People Do: The Road Map That Will Change Your Life (p. 55). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

It is so easy for people to become obsessed with where they have been wronged.

John says, “Think about your situation. Have you ever been wronged? Have there been times when you haven’t gotten everything you deserved? Your answer to these questions is almost certainly yes. We live in an imperfect world, and because of that, as long as we live, we won’t see a time when everything we do is rewarded justly.”

As long as I drive the LA freeways I will deal with someone cutting me off. It is a fact of life.

He goes on, “So you’re faced with a decision. Are you going to spend your time and energy on what should have been, or are you going to focus on what can be? Even when truth and justice are on your side, you may never be able to right your wrongs. Continually fighting for your rights in an imperfect world can make you resentful, angry, hateful, and bitter. These destructive emotions sap your energy and make you negative. And besides, when you focus on your rights, you’re often looking backward rather than forward. You can’t make any progress when you’re facing the wrong way. Glenn Clark remarked, ‘If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears.’”

I love what Exodus 14:14 (NLT) in the Bible says, “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” That is a great way to be contented. I’ve also heard it said that God wants us to give Him our rights and He gives them back to us as privileges.

So what battles in your past are you still fighting?

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