Philippians 4:11-13, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 2:14, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”
Let's start by asking ourselves one simple question. What is one thing separating you from joy? How do you fill in the blank, “I will be happy when…..”
When I am healed. When I have a better job. When I am married. When my kids are grown. When I am a grandparent. When I have a better house or a better car. When I make more money. Take a moment to honestly answer this question.
Now that you have the answer in mind, let's ask this. What if your ship never comes in or your dreams never come true? What if things in your life never change or you lose what you have now? Could you be happy?
“There is a family no one likes to meet, they live, it is said, on Complaining Street. In the city of Never Satisfied, the river of Discontent beside.
They growl at that; they growl at this. Whatever comes, there is something amiss. And whether their station be high or humble, they are known by the name of Grumble.
The weather is always too hot or too cold, Summer and Winter alike they scold. Nothing goes right with the fold they meet. Down on that gloomy Complaining Street.
They growl at the rain; they growl at the sun; in fact they're grumbling is never done. And if anything please them, there isn't a doubt. They’d growl that they had nothing to grumble about.
And the worst thing is that if anyone stays among them too long, he will learn their ways. And before he dreams of this terrible jumble; he's adopted into the family of Grumble.
So, it is we are wisest to keep our feet from wandering onto Grumbling Street. And never growl whatever we do, lest we be mistaken for the Grumblers too.” – L.M. Montgomery
Overall, our society has become quite discontent. The quest for what is better or what comes next is becoming prominent in so many lives. Better job, better pay, better boss. A better house or better car. It even can come down to a better backhand in tennis or a better longer drive in golf. We tend to live tirelessly for the next best thing. Next weekend, next vacation, our next purchase, or our next experience. We seem to be never satisfied or content. We become envious of those around us who have what we are trying to attain or accumulate. We are becoming like the Grumbler family more and more. So, as we enter a new year, set new goals for our lives, how can we stay off Complaining Street by the river of Discontent.
I believe Paul's wise words are a great guide from keeping our eyes focused on Jesus and off this world, and the next best thing. It begins with trusting God. Not simply when things are going great, that's easy to do. We need to also trust God when things may be tough in our life as well.
It's easy to fall in with society because we feel our identity and purpose are found there. Our status, our possessions, the things we begin chasing, to move forward in life. Yet when we are focusing on all those things, we are putting our values above God and forgetting to trust Him with all we have already achieved or have been blessed with. We become discontented.
Discontentment causes us to look horizontally at those around us and what they have. When we learn to trust God and be content, we are looking vertically towards God. When we are looking in His direction it is easier to be content because, regardless our status or possessions, we know God is enough. Contentment brings inward peace because as Christians we know Jesus is enough. He has already promised to give us all we need.
However, contentment doesn't come naturally, it is a learned virtue. Our tendency will always lead us to wanting bigger and better. So, we have to put forth the effort to learn how to be content.
It doesn't mean we deny our feelings of wants and desires. Instead, it's freedom to learn to control our feelings. Being content doesn't mean we pretend everything is okay when they're not. It's a peace we have knowing that no matter what, God is bigger than any problem and He works everything out for good.
Contentment isn't a feeling of well-being but promotes joy in spite of our circumstances. Contentment begins in the heart, being satisfied whether we have plenty or little because we trust completely that God has our life in His hands. It has to do with what's going on inside us, not what's around us. It's building a relationship with our heavenly father knowing He has promised to care for us, and He will meet us where we are.
Contentment is accepting from God's hand what He sends us. If we fail to find contentment in our own lives, we will forever be in bondage to our worldly desires and the need for bigger and better. Discontentment breeds jealousy and can poison our relationships around us and with God. Discontentment robs us of potential blessings, destroys our peace, takes away our joy and makes us miserable.
Aside from Paul's words of learning to be content here's the secret to finding your inner contentment:
- Remember the cross- Philippians 1:21
- Let go of the past- Philippians 3:13
- Live one day at a time- Philippians 4:19
- Find sufficiency in Jesus- Philippians 4:13
Life is not like a VCR. you can't fast forward through the bad stuff. There will be peaks and there will be valleys but in life Jesus is in every frame, and no matter where you are at, at this moment, Jesus is enough.
“If you know Jesus, you have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven around you. If you have Jesus, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm. You have everything you need.” -Rick Eyell
Contentment is not promised to come easy, but when we like Paul, learn to be content in everything, the results are wonderful and promised by God Himself. May this year bring many blessings your way and peace beyond understanding no matter your circumstances.
Studying scripture can indeed lead to contentment, as it encourages a perspective of gratitude and trust in God, allowing individuals to find peace and satisfaction regardless of their circumstances. Individuals can gain confidence that God has a purpose for their lives. The Bible offers wisdom and examples of people who overcame hardships, providing practical tools to navigate difficult situations with a hopeful perspective. Let's continue our study in ways to we can relate to others with lesson 6.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and if you'd like take a few more minutes to look around or click on my other links, God bless.
If you haven't already please subscribe to our email list on our homepage https://www.connectwithgoddaily.com/ or join any of our media, and please feel free to visit us on Facebook and join our group. https://www.facebook.com/dailyblessingblog/
Also come visit and see what is new in our bookstore. dswells.weebly.com
Don't forget to share with your friends some inspiration today and brighten up their day too.
For those new to our emails, if you would rather receive these via text or on messenger please let me know through my email, dswell123@yahoo.com or our FaceBook page.