Contentment Day 2

Contentment, Day 2

Being Carnal Minded

Contentment is one of those words that you do not hear very often, nor do many really actually strive for it because to many, the word content is a someday kind of a word, most usually associated with those who have retired or gained much fortune. I am not saying that we do not long for contentment. Somehow the world today has numbed us from the reality that we can truly be content. When defining this word, we see peace of mind and happiness which would result in little or no stress. Am I dreaming? Is that actually something I can obtain on this Earth?

Have you ever been caught up in society's cycle of overspending, over committing, and over working? Are we kidding ourselves? This is no way to obtain peace of mind, happiness, satisfaction. Definitely not the way to little or no stress. Try anxiety, worry, unhappiness and ineffectiveness.

Being content does not mean that we should be lazy. There is a lot of power in contentment because you are free of all those emotions and feelings and hopelessness that will ultimately come from trying to obtain it all.

You can be content and ambitious at the same time. If you desire to serve God, help others, and improve yourself, then fulfilling those ambitions will bring you much happiness and contentment.

I am sure there are several scenarios when it comes to being content. Below is a story I want to share with you.

A few months ago, I had cleaned my house, had a garage sale and taken care of all the honey-do's that I had listed for my husband. It was so nice to have the bills paid and everything in it's place. I remember thinking to myself how we would have the entire summer with no worries or concerns, just complete happiness. Seconds later, I was overwhelmed with fear. It had come to my attention that I was CONTENT. I was afraid. How funny is that? I instantly played several scenarios in my head. What is next? What does God have for me to learn now? I instantly started worrying about tomorrow. Anxious for what was next. It isn't a bad thing to plan ahead, but my focus was on then and not the now. Which is where I was with God, I had the opportunity to experience contentment.

I am sure there are others who live their whole lives trying to find contentment and never find it. I am guessing some of them had it and never acknowledged it.

Reading 1 Timothy, I felt a heaviness in my heart. There are so many people in this world who can still thrive, smile, praise the same God I do and all they have is enough food for the meal they are eating and clothes on their bodies. While I am finding it harder and harder to fit 5 of us in a 3 bedroom house that has a shed in the backyard the size of a hut that would house an entire family in many areas of the world. I have a business built into the garage and the means to provide for my family. now I am not content. But it is more of a Holy Discontent. It almost makes me sick to think that I have so much more than I actually ever needed. It makes me think... if I would focus on what I have now, the important things, like my children, friends, family and my youth, then I could be happy, without all the other stuff that gets in my way. Most importantly when I focus on God, I will be content in trusting him and knowing I am where I am because that is where he wants me to be. Making sure to listen to when he wants me to move forward.

Take a moment to read these verses.

Matthew 6:31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

1 Timothy 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Romans 8:6The mind of sinful man[a] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;