Written by Markus Terborg – High School Student 

Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala on a mission trip with Casas por Cristo, which translates to “Houses for Christ.” The name says a lot about what they do. We had three separate teams of people building 3 houses for families in need. 

Now when I tell people that we built a house in 3 days, they would say something like, “What? The company that built my house took 4 months!”  So yes, they aren’t the kind of house you would see around here. It was more like a small three room structure, simple, sturdy, and absolutely life changing for the family. It may not look impressive by American standards, but for the family receiving it, it was hope that the struggle was over. 

We were told that based on the husband’s average wages, it would have taken about 28 years for them to afford that home on their own, and that’s assuming the family doesn’t spend a single dollar on food or anything else. Twenty eight years. When you put it in perspective like that, you realize how enormous even a “small” gift can be. 

But what impacted me most wasn’t even building the house. It was the people. 

Even families who weren’t receiving a home that week showed so much joy. Kids would shout across the street, laughing at us, sometimes just because we waved and said “hola.” It didn’t take much for them to feel genuine happiness. And it left me thinking about a hard question: 

How can people with so little be so joyful, while we, who have so much more than them, struggle to be content? 

In the United States, we’re constantly chasing the “American dream.” Bigger house. Better car. Higher income. More success. But as the saying goes, “More money, more problems.” More possessions mean more stress, more stuff to take care of, more comparison, more anxiety. 

Jesus’ words in Matthew apply perfectly in this situation: 

Matthew 6:25-27 NLT 

[25] “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? [27] Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” 

Why do we worry so much about temporary earthly things and possessions? If we’re honest, most of us spend a lot of time worrying. We worry about money, school, jobs, relationships, health, and the future. Worrying makes us lose sight of what is really important. 

But when you step back and look at your life through God’s eyes, worry starts to lose its power. 

As Christians, the foundation of our hope isn’t temporary, it’s eternal. Even in what we might consider the “worst case scenario,” death itself, we still get the ultimate gift: to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus, which is even better than the life we are living now. When you look at it that way, we don’t even need to worry about the devil’s most powerful weapon against us: death. When your future with Christ is secure, it changes how you see everything else. The pressures of today don’t disappear, but they shrink in comparison to what God has promised beyond them. 

Instead of living in constant anxiety, scripture consistently points us toward contentment and gratitude. Contentment doesn’t mean pretending life is perfect. It means recognizing that what we have right now is enough because God is enough. 

And gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated or dramatic. It can be as simple as pausing in the middle of your day and acknowledging something small: 

“God, thank You for this meal.” 

“Thank You for this friend.” 

“Thank You for the clothes I’m wearing.” 

“Thank You for getting me through today.” 

Gratitude shifts our focus. Worry magnifies what we lack; thankfulness magnifies what we’ve been given. 

Here’s a simple challenge: start noticing the ordinary blessings you might take for granted. Build the habit of thanking God in everyday moments. Not just when something big happens, but even in the small, quiet parts of your life. 

Contentment doesn’t grow from having more possessions. It grows from appreciating what’s already in front of you.  

The people I met in Guatemala seem to have no struggle with this aspect of Christianity; seeing everything they receive as a blessing and a gift from God. They appreciate everything God has given them. Maybe we should be more like them.