I know both how to
have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I
have learned the secret [of being content]—whether well-fed or hungry, whether
in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens
me.” Philippians 4:12-13
Our tendency is to look for things that will make us contented — those
things that are better or those events that are next, rather than putting forth
the effort it takes to learn how to be content. Where we are with what we have.
May I ask you a question? What is the one thing separating you from joy?
How do you fill in the blank: “I will be happy when ____________?” When I am healed.
When I am promoted. When I am married. When I am rich. How
would you finish the statement?
Now, with your answer firmly in mind, answer this. If your ship never
comes in, if your dream never comes true, if the situation never changes, could
you be happy? If not, then you are living in the claws of discontentment.
Discontentment has the potential to destroy peace, rob us of joy, make
us miserable, and tarnish our witness.
We dishonor God if we proclaim a Savior who satisfies and then live in discontentment.
What is the course we must take to real contentment? Let’s look at three
of those today.
1.
Give
Thanks - "Give thanks in
all circumstances" - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks for the material things you have
as well as the spiritual blessings you have. Even when you are in need, there
are still things that you can be thankful for. Contentment is not the gratification
of getting what you want, but the satisfaction in realizing how much you
already have." It is easy to slip
into the habit of only asking God for things in prayer and not thanking him. To
keep from slipping into this, set a time of thanksgiving.
2. Avoid complaining - Psalm
77:3 "I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed."(KJV)
That's what complaining does. It takes us
down. When you feel tempted to complain,
instead of venting your complaint, replace it with a thanksgiving. Dr. Dale Robbins said "I used to think
that people complained because they had a lot of problems. But I have come to
realize that they have problems because they complain." Complaining is the
opposite of giving thanks. Complaining spoils contentment.
3.
Avoid coveting - Exodus
20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your
neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his
donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
I recently read the true story about someone
who laid a small circle of poison around a hill of stinging ants. Thinking the
tiny granules of poison were food, the ants began to pick them up and carry
them throughout the colony. They returned later to see how well the poison was
working. Hundreds of the stinging ants were carrying the poison down into their
hill.
Someone noticed a hole in the circle of poison. Some of the poison was
moving the opposite way--away from the hill. Some smaller, non-stinging ants
had found this "food" and were stealing it from their ant neighbors.
Thinking they were getting the other ants' treasure, they unwittingly poisoned
themselves.
When we see someone with more than we have,
we must beware. The hunger to beg, borrow, or steal our way into what is theirs
will poison us spiritually. Coveting poison's the path to contentment.
Ask God to lead you to the course of true
contentment. He will open your eyes to
what treasures you already have and help you discover that contentment cannot
be bought or claimed. It is a gift we
give ourselves really. It is a decision and a resolution from within.
Scripture to Claim
And my God will
supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
