CONTENTMENT - BECAUSE YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

This week Sandy and Elisabeth talk about contentment, including the difference between the Biblical definition and the modern American definition, the difference between our needs and wants, and choosing contentment in good times and in bad.

LESSONS FROM PAUL

PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I now know how to be brought low and how to abound. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Paul is writing this from prison. He has by all standards every reason to be discontented and yet the message he sends back to the church is not to tell them how good they have it but to remind them that in all circumstances we must find contentment through Jesus.

LESSONS FROM SOLOMON

ECCLESIASTES 5:19-20 God gives some people the ability to enjoy the wealth and possessions He gives them, as well as the ability to accept their state in life and enjoy their work. The do not worry about how short life is because God keeps them busy with what they love to do, the little pleasures are distractions from the meaningless world

Solomon uses Ecclesiastes chapter 5 to warn us that money does not buy happiness but more importantly he goes on to tell us that the ability to enjoy life and be content is a blessing from God. The little things are the most important things and give meaning to a meaningless world. Pay attention to the little things. Choosing contentment will lead to a joyful life.

LESSONS FROM JESUS

LUKE 12:25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his life.

Here again we find another example of Jesus giving us a bit of science. It's almost as if He knew how our bodies were supposed to work.

If you find yourself constantly having a negative attitude and feeling anxious every single day start a thankfulness journal. Every day write down 3 good things that happened that day. It doesn't have to be life changing or profound just 3 things that were positive in your day. Your brain will begin to look for these good things and focus on them and slowly your whole perspective will shift and you will find yourself seeing things in a different light. A positive light.

CONCLUSION

EPHESIANS 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Since we have eternal hope in Jesus we can be content with our circumstances in the here and now and we can do all things through Him because He created us to do good things and prepared those things for us so that we could walk through life according to His plan.

So find the good you were created for and know that He will give you the strength to do it.

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