'...I have learned the secret of being content...' Philippians 4:12
Sometimes contentment means: 1) Learning to be happy with less. A
hard-charging executive decided to spend a few days in a monastery.
'I hope your stay is a blessed one,' said the monk who showed him to his
cell. 'If you need anything let us know. We'll teach you how to live
without it.' Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's enjoying what
God's given you. Paul said he had learned to be content, '...whether
well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do
everything through him who gives me strength.' (Philippians 4:12-13 NIV)
2) Reminding yourself things could be worse. Snoopy was lying in his dog
house one Thanksgiving Day, mumbling about being stuck with dog food
while all those humans got to be inside with the turkey and gravy and
pumpkin pie. 'Of course, it could have been worse,' he finally
reflected, 'I could have been born a turkey.' Reminding yourself 'It
could be worse' can be a powerful developer of contentment. 3)
Understanding that what you seek is spiritual, not material. Paul says
to beware of '...greed, which is idolatry' (Colossians 3:5 NIV). Our
problem isn't just that we want more, it's that the condition which
underlies all our wanting is that we really want God. As Augustine said,
'Our souls will never rest, until they rest in Thee.' Why would God let
us feel at home, when this world is not our home? Our dissatisfaction,
if we let it, can sharpen our spiritual hunger and cause us to pray,
'your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'
(Matthew 6:10 NIV).
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11 comments:
This is very powerful Nom. And it strikes a chord. Sometimes we dwell too much on what we don’t have and forget to be thankful for what we have. We want the big stuff (that is out of our reach) and forget those little gifts (that we already have) that are normally hard to notice but are extremely gratifying. We whine, rant, rave, rattle, and yank for more and forget the simple gifts that have always kept us happy. But have you ever noticed that for whatever you feel you have lost there is always a gain? You only need to look. Or you just need to notice. And you’ll find it. It’s that simple. You cannot always have what you want but you can learn to be happy with whatever you already have and thank God for it, however little. You will be truly happy. That is why we should also always find joy in giving. We don’t have to wait to be millionaires to be able to give. A little always goes a long way. Imagine if you were the turkey being feasted on by the humans. Think about what you have…mhmh…it’s a lot.
Yve
Good One Rich !
sometimes we try to be contented but I believe we should hunger n thirst for more to get the best.rememember last year when I was at home n had kind of given up with coming for my new job n told you am contented with what I had! You might not remember but you asked me "what do u mean" n it gave me a wake up call not to give up but to keep longing and praying for more and the best Thank you.
The prodigal son returns..reading your bible and getting philosophical. I'm impressed Richie rich. How are you doing? been checking out the blog, got some really gud stuff here dude.Of course i will refrain from making any comments about the polotics! we voting next week. gotta go. gimme a shout sum time. u got my e-mail.
In the book of Luke in chapter 11 verses 9 to 13,Jesus says:"And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you;seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?" I like those words because that always remind me that the precious thing , our treasure are not on the earth but in heaven.we can be happy with less but we should not forget that God (as his children)can give us more if we ask him to
Just like Yve says, this is a very powerful and touching nom! Yes, contentment means learning to live with whatever you have however small ,less or little it may seem.But that doesn't mean we shouldn't ask God for particular things in life. God will always answer our prayers and needs if he thinks it is for our good because he loves us and always wants whats best for us. We surely do not have to get rich in order to give.Paul in the Bible tells us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. We can not serve God and money. You either serve one and hate the other but not both. In this world, we are just passers-by. Our treasures are laid up in heaven if we remain true and faithful to God. Take the story of Job in the bible. He was a very righteous,faithful and rich man who lost all that he had especially his family.He never gave up on his creator for he said;" Naked i came from my mother's womb and naked will i return.The LORD giveth and taketh away.Blessed be the name of the LORD!" He learned to be content and in the end was rewarded because God knew his desires and pain but he(JOB)never complained!
So Folks, seek first the kingdom of God and the rest shall be added unto you.
Be blessed, Rich!
Good stuff!
Cool!i'm really impressed with what u had write done. But i don't unerstand, are u become christian?
Nor material thing, nor many can make us happy. U can be only happy when we are with God.Peace,Joy,glory,love come from God.
This comes as food for thought really, bless you Rich. Contentment should be an expression of gratitude at all times, for the scripture says "in all things give thanks".We will always be content when we remember that true beauty and riches can only be felt in the things unseen.
It was a wonderful post. But what is more striking to me is the truth of these words.
Unfortunately we spend so much time seeking to fulfill outside desires the we forget to realize that we should be satisfied with whatever comes our way.
We do an disservice to ourselves if we continue to feel dissatisfied with what we do not possess. We begin to lose pleasure in the simple things.
When we chose to be content with the blessings that we do have in our lives, our happy times will become happier and our sad times will become less sad.
Amazing ~ contentment ~ another way to see what is ~ what is in front of me ~ what is with me NOW ~ that is what is the best for me in this very moment. God IS ~ and there is NO thing else right now ~ I am blessed in this moment to read your thoughts, to be in touch with you, to hear your words ~ to be ~
love & hugs,
Mom
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