Let me start by giving you the definition of persnickety, "characterized by placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy." Paul tells us in Philippians 4:12-13, "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." (NKJV)
Much of the time, we are not happy for any extended period of time! We get a new car and it is not long until we are not enamored with it any longer. We get a new outfit and it is the best outfit we have and it is not long until we have to go get another one because that one just "doesn't do for us anymore."
The same is true when it comes to the weather and each season of the year. We go into to summer and it is not long until we are tired of the heat and want it to be fall or winter, so we can get some cooler weather. Then we get to winter and we have some days of cold, ice, and snow and then we talk about how we wish it was summer so we could be enjoying our day. Oh, how do we so easily forget!
Paul reminds us that we should learn to be content in no matter what state (or season) we find ourselves in. Because, if we are not careful, we will miss the blessing of today because we are always looking for something else. Let me also say, "To be discontent is the way of the world!"
My wife, Rebecca, says, "Comparison is the root of all discontentment!" And she is correct! When we continue to compare everything we have with what others have or what we wish we had, we miss the blessings in what we already possess. Think about it like this, life is like a picture you want to take with a camera. If you hold an object in your hand. You can either focus on the object in your hand or you can focus on the things in the background, but you cannot do both.
If you focus on the thing in your hand, then the things in the background with be blurry and not be in your focus. But, if you focus on the things in the background, you will continue to run around searching for other things, while missing what the Lord has already given to you to possess.
Dear Believer, learn to be content and appreciate the blessings of the Lord! Make sure you see that of all people we are so highly blessed and favored!
Yes, the snow and cold can wear on us, but we must look around and find the blessings in where the Lord has us right now and has already placed in our hand! Do everything that you can to not be persnickety (trivial/discontent) but remain content no matter what!
God Bless,
Bro. W. Dee Daniel