Continuing this week on the topic of contentment, it is astounding how this topic and practice impacts all dynamics of our life. Whether it is in a moment where someone offends me or makes me disappointed or upset. Contentment allows me to do a mental check of my expectations and see a bigger picture, rather than being drawn into emotions and thoughts that become rapidly unhealthy.
I have also found that when contentment is defined for me, it is easier to catch myself running to unnecessary things. My latest example was being frustrated with my old phone mount for my car. It did not want to stay mounted, but in just few moments I went from searching for a new phone mount to thinking I just needed a new phone. Yikes!! But I guess I am the only one that chases rabbits at light speed. But in my contentment, I have retracted and will work on utilizing the phone holder I already have.
With that introduction that leads us into the challenge of Learning Contentment. As you can tell, I need to continue to learn.
Peace & Chaos
The desire for more or better is a powerful mindset and very emotional. It is this desire for motivation and creativity, but is also very dangerous and can be also very unhealthy.
A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.
– Proverbs 15:27 NLT
Most family challenges are around money. If not the main topic of arguments, it is quickly brought up as a weapon in war of words. Money issues are the #1 cause of divorce.
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. – Philippians 4:12 NIV
It is a continuous learning and it is never obtained. Things don’t change, but people do. Things that have made us happy don’t change, but our infatuation with them fades. Also the fact is that the more we want, the more dissatisfaction we experience. The illusion of having more will make us happy, will actually make us tired, and sick. Having more will not make us more likeable, more loved or more important.
Possessions are temporary. Many of cannot remember what we even got for Christmas last year. When we look at credit card debt we question how it got that high and can’t even remember buying things that drove that balance up, even if at the time it seemed so logical.
“If you love money, you will never be satisfied; if you long to be rich, you will never get all you want. It is useless.” – Ecclesiastes 5:10 GNT
It is clear that we all would like to live a life with less fatigue, less anxiety, less expenses, less conflict and less dissatisfaction. That is why we have to understand contentment and pursue it and work for it each day.
Stop Comparing
One of my biggest challenges is seeing what others have and thinking I am missing out. Or there is the arrogant situation where I think I am better than others and pride wells up. That inner desire for more or better can eat us alive.
Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! – 2 Corinthians 10:12 NLT
It is foolish but so easy. We say we are just people watching but it is just entertaining our sinful desires. Our mind constantly compares. We can admire without the desire to acquire. But it takes the foundational principle of contentment. It is even in the law given by God to protect his people…
“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:17 NLT
COVET: uncontrolled desire to acquire
Everything is created because of a desire. Desire is not bad, but we need to make sure that we stay healthy and not fall into sin. Desires come from God, but when desires become uncontrolled they become a lust. And that lust leads to coveting.
Enjoy what you have
A challenging situation in the world is when people have a great desire to get a big beautiful house and then they are never at home to enjoy it because they are always working to afford it. And then there is the issue that the big desire they had is just old and not that satisfying anymore, so they get a travel trailer or they get another home on the lake. The desire fades…
Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured.
“If God gives a man wealth and property . . . he should be grateful and enjoy what he has . . . it is a gift from God.” – Ecclesiastes 5:19 (GNT)
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” – 1 Timothy 6:17
God enjoys us enjoying what he gives us. Just like a parent or friend that delights in seeing a gift given enjoyed.
What are the most simplest things we take for granted. Things such as hot water, ice, internet, toilet paper. It is crazy to think how many things we have, yet don’t appreciate. What are we not enjoying.
Avoid the “When and Then” thinking. When this happens then we will be happy…
“Jesus said, ‘Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because your true life is not made up of the things you own, no matter how rich you may be.’” Luke 12:15 (GNT)
“O God, I ask for two things from you before I die: First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.” Proverbs 30:7-9
To listen to the original broadcast visit: https://pastorrick.com/player/?id=27595