Thriving: Contentment
Fill in the blank from the following word bank:
new job married baby new car new phone
new outfit fewer bills vacation promotion new house
“When I get (a) _____________, then I will be happy. I won’t need anything else for a while.”
We’ve probably all said this…and probably more than once.
What happens? How come the thing we wanted so badly can’t seem to satisfy our needs for very long?
You and I were born to live in perfection; we were originally designed to live in paradise, in the Garden.
This side of heaven…this side of perfection, there will always be a gaping hole that we are longing to fill. Nothing is going to be quite right, no matter how blessed we are.
The only thing that can fill that hole and make us whole is keeping our eye on the ONE thing needful, our redeemer.
“The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” –Proverbs 19:23
He gives us the strength to do his work and to find contentment.
Apart from Jesus, there is no contentment.
Looking to “things” for contentment is not the only way we take our eyes off of the prize. Sometimes we spend too much time looking at ourselves and comparing ourselves to others.
“I wish I looked like ___________.”
“I wish I could ________ like _________.”
God has given us the gifts and abilities we would need for his work. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph. 2:10
Pastor Rick Warren, author of A Purpose Drive Life suggests that, “Some animals run, some hop, some swim, and some fly. Each has a particular role to play, based on the way they were shaped by God.”
Each of his creatures is well equipped for the work He has in mind, and that includes you and me!
What gifts do you have? What comes easy for you? This can be a clue to how you can best serve God by using your gifts and can also lead to being content with your gifts.
Remember when you were in speech class and you were told to act confident until you became confident? The same principle holds true here.
Each day, I encourage you to take time to reflect upon your life and say, “I am content.” Contentment is a primary characteristic of those who are not just surviving, but thriving!
Phillipian 4: 11-12 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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.”