Sigh ... I wish I didn't have to say this, but I have really been struggling with my "Big C"--contentment. And like usual, I'm struggling with being content with my job situation (which feels more like a lack of job situation) and our finances.
I don't know if it's just who I am, but discontentment is that sneaky little sin that likes to tip toe it's way into my life just when I think everything is going well. Maybe it will always be like that ... maybe it's something I, like many other women, will always have to deal with. But I also know that my God has some encouraging words to say about contentment--and these words spoke to my heart this morning.
"6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:6-12
Thank you God, for these words. I'm reminded that you love me and know my heart, and you can fill all the voids that are making me discontent. I'm reminded that I can't just linger in my discontentment as it may lead to other sins and destruction. I'm reminded that nothing in my life is an accident or chance--you are in control of all things and therefore I can trust you even in times of struggle.
My prayer and hope is that God can work out my discontentment and teach me to be happy with where I am and what I have. This morning, I felt Him gently remind me that if I was working today, I would not have had meaningful time alone with Him to work through some of my discontentment. And as I walked away from Starbucks (my favourite place to sit and meet with God), I felt my heart melting just a little as I clung to the truth that God loves me, even when I don't feel I deserve it, and His love never fails.
Thank you for sharing. This is something I struggle with too. Great scripture <3
ReplyDeleteI've really been struggling with my discontentment lately too.
ReplyDeleteFor me it is largely to do with the job I have right now and the fact that it's not really the dream job that I had envisioned as I diligently studied for my university exams and paid those high tuition fees, it doesn't challenge me intellectually, and really any high school drop out could manage doing my dead-end job.
But...
I know that God works all things together for the good of those that Love him. And I believe that regardless of what situation we find ourselves in, God is going to use us there, if we let him. So I try and keep that in mind when I go to work. That maybe there is someone there whose life I am going to change by introducing them personally to Christ. Or maybe this experience is going to strengthen me and help me grow into a better, more Christ-like person. Or maybe this is a test, to see if I will praise God even through the storms.
It helps me to keep these things in mind, to maintain some perspective.
I also recently read the book "Just Do Something" by Kevin deYoung, and sometimes I think our generation is too spoiled. We've been told we can do anything we want, and have whatever we want. But really, shouldn't our treasure be in heaven? If life on earth was easy and there weren't hardships and suffering and imperfections, if earth was heaven-like, then what would be the point of looking forward to heaven. Sometimes I think God gives us a taste of the bad so we can appreciate and be truly awed by heaven when we get there.
For Christians, earth is the closest to Hell we will ever get.
But for some people, earth is the closest to Heaven they will ever get.