Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Do you struggle with Contentment?
I do at times...and I have become even more aware of this in my life after studying Jerry Bridges *The Practice of Godliness*. Chapter 7 is on contentment and it has really caused me to rethink the attitudes of my heart in this area. Contentment and thankfulness go hand in hand...if we are content,we will be thankful....if we are thankful to God,we will be content. So it is hard to separate the two.
What is the opposite of true contentment?
Arguing,grumbling,and complaining.
I recently referred to these verses in regards to my favorite household chore....remember this?
I think God is trying to really get this through my head. I'm a slow learner,I guess.
The meaning of the word contentment is this: Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace,restraining complaint,opposition,or further desire,and often implying a moderation degree of happiness.
Another way to think about it is....being satisfied and happy in God because you have removed unnecessary desires from one's life. You desire God and are content with everything God has done through you and for you.
Do you have unnecessary desires? Do you ever go into another's home and covet? Do you ever see another woman's husband and compare your own husband to him? Do you want the latest fashions and are discontent until you have it? Do you ever become jealous when other's lives seem to look so easy and happy? Do you become easily irritated with your own children when you see other children behaving and being sweet?
I really like how Paul expresses contentment here:
Bridges says this about Paul's contentment:
Jerry Bridges closes his chapter with this:
I will be posting on thankfulness next since these go hand in hand.
What is the opposite of true contentment?
Arguing,grumbling,and complaining.
Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or disputing;that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,among whom you appear as lights in the world.
I recently referred to these verses in regards to my favorite household chore....remember this?
I think God is trying to really get this through my head. I'm a slow learner,I guess.
1 Timothy 6:6 says,"But godliness with contentment is great gain."
The meaning of the word contentment is this: Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace,restraining complaint,opposition,or further desire,and often implying a moderation degree of happiness.
Another way to think about it is....being satisfied and happy in God because you have removed unnecessary desires from one's life. You desire God and are content with everything God has done through you and for you.
Do you have unnecessary desires? Do you ever go into another's home and covet? Do you ever see another woman's husband and compare your own husband to him? Do you want the latest fashions and are discontent until you have it? Do you ever become jealous when other's lives seem to look so easy and happy? Do you become easily irritated with your own children when you see other children behaving and being sweet?
I really like how Paul expresses contentment here:
Phil 4:11-12 Not that I speak from want,for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means,and I also know how to live in proseperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry,both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Bridges says this about Paul's contentment:
This must be what Paul learned: God's grace is sufficient,whatever the circumstance. And because God's grace is sufficient,we can be content. But to experience contentment we must,as Paul did,accept that God's grace is in fact sufficient. By acceptance I mean not just a theological assent to a truth,but an authentic faith in His grace in the face of trying circumstances.
Jerry Bridges closes his chapter with this:
This is the secret of being content: To learn and accept that we live daily by God's unmerited favor given through Christ,and that we can respond to any and every situation by His divine enablement through the Holy Spirit.
I will be posting on thankfulness next since these go hand in hand.
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
13 Comments:
Kim:
I couldn't find your email, so could you please drop me a line? I want to extend an invitation to you.
Jules
www.everydaymommy.net
SolaMoms
Hi Kim!
I loved this post! My Dad -he's a pastor- preached on that a few times. I used to struggle with it a little bit but not anymore. Now I dont care at all about material things or what others have. God changed me through daily devotions and BIble reading. I truly feel content.
However....what others think of me still bothers me. So I guess I need to be content on myself and not worry/care what others think so much.
Thanks for this post,
Candy
Thank you so much for your wonderful blog. I have been looking for awhile and used your links to find a whole new world out there. I am also a homeschooling mother of 5 (one recently adopted from China) who is constantly trying to live the life God has planned with His grace. Thank you for the encouragement to press on.
Jill
http://mysite.verizon.net/shelbyfamily7/
I definitely think contentment and thankfulness go hand in hand. If I am taking my eyes off myself and being thankful for what I have, I am less likely to be discontent.
Great post! I look forward to your next one. I think I need to get that book!
What a wonderful post! I always get so much out of your blog. Thanks for sharing and being so encouraging!
God bless,
Lori
Kim: What a great topic that we as believers and moms need to address. Being content for me is a constant state of prayer and complete awareness that I have been pulled from the pit and now my feet are on solid ground. I do think there is a difference in contentment and being content with areas of sin in our lives. Those things we should never be content to sit around and fester!
Great post!
I agree and this is something I have thought of...we should not be content with sin in our life or the lack of godliness...we should be pursuing it at all times.
I agree and great point!!!
Kim
Kim,
Thank you for this. I just started blogging and all my posts have been on contentment. God is really offering me so many opportunities to hear what he is teaching me about contentment!
God Bless,
Leigh
Kim,
I came by after reading your comment to Amy, I was already in tears because I have grown to love amy so much but what you wrote filled my heart as though it was what God would say to Amy. It was beautiful. Your blog is beautiful and so peaceful. I feel as though I have made a new friend in you today. Thankyou for you sweet Spirit.
Okay, NOW you're getting in our business! :-)
Something I heard years ago and I have not been able to forget: Comparison is the beginning of discontent. So true!
And you are so right, gratitude encourages contentment!
This was excellent Kim! I find if I'm focused on the Lord I am content. But when I allow that focus tocome off of Jesus and onto the things around me that is when I start to become discontent. And I can hardly wait to read your post on thankfulness because you are so right. The two go hand in hand.
Years ago I heard Francis Schaeffer say something that has stuck with me since: "When I am not contented, it's because I'm not letting God be God, or I have ceased to be thankful."
He's right.
This is a great post! Problems with contentment are the seeds of so many problems in our culture today. This mindset is so easy to fall into. These were needed and challenging words for me today.
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