Contentment...Myth or Truth!

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.

I have learned the secret of living in every situation,

whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

Philippians 4:12

How much is "enough"?  J. Paul Getty was asked this question about his wealth.  His answer? "Just one more dollar."  So, let me ask you again, how much is "enough"?  Will you be "happy" with more time? Bigger house? Bigger paycheck? A more prestigious position? A newer car?  What does it take for us to he "happy"?

This thing we call "Happiness" is a fleeting, unobtainable dream.  When we base our feelings of happiness on things, our life will be one of constant turmoil, always seeking to find "that one thing" that will make me permanently happy. 

Look at what Paul is saying.  Contentment, not happiness, is our true goal....or should be.  Paul makes a clear point: I don't chase after the fleeting and ever elusive "happiness."  Instead, I accept whatever situation I find myself and trust God to provide.  Contentment is not a myth!  Contentment means: "In whatever circumstances I find myself...I'm good with it because God is with me."

Think about that.

Learn To Let Go!!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Hebrews 12:1 

 

I'm weird.  I know it and I get it.  Guess what?  I don't care because I like being weird.  As I am writing this, I am listening to "Four Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi.  It's very relaxing for me and I often read and write with classical music playing.  

 

Having said that, there are days when I get so uptight and irritable (yes, I can get cranky as a hungry two year old sometimes, ask my Bride), that I catch myself so tense that I have to get up walk around and possibly punch something.  I don't punch someone, because they tend to punch back and that hurts.  

 

But I have been re-reading Chuck Swindoll's book, "Laugh Again" and have not only learned a LOT but one particular portion, dealing with happiness and contentment, I sensed God prompting me to share.  It's called LET GO: 

 

"LET GO of the habit of always looking at the negative!

LET GO of your need to fix everybody else's unhappiness!

LET GO of your drive to compete or compare!

LET GO of your adult children, especially your attempts to straighten out their lives!

LET GO of all your excuses! 

LET GO of so many needless inhibitions that keep you from Celebrating Life!"

 

I have seen too many people with their faces always serious, pinched up as if they smelled something horrible, or angry because of things they cannot control.  When we learn to let go of the things that are God's responsibility and not ours, we will be MUCH more relaxed and happier!  We MUST learn to let go of the past!  We MUST learn to let go of things that we cannot control!  

 

Let God do His job! 

All I Want For Christmas is...

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Luke 12:15 

 

We are all familiar of the event known as "Black Friday" where stores open early to allow the public to fight over items at extremely low prices.  We've heard of people getting trampled to death, getting into fist fights, and even mugged in the parking lot.  Let's face it, we like having stuff.  LOTS of stuff.  Even if we don't need it or use it, we still want it!

 

I know several people will understand when I say one of my favorite times of year when I was younger was the day when someone on our street got a new appliance.  Why?  Because we got the box!  That box and our imaginations made for an AWESOME week!

 

I have now reached the age where the thing I look forward to for Christmas are the t-shirts, socks, and underwear.  Because they are practical and I use them almost every day.  

 

As we enter into the Christmas Season, let's remember that the KING of KINGS was born into this world in a feed trough in a barn with nothing to His name except His name.  While some spend their entire lives trying to get more and more, Jesus was content with what He had.  

 

Being content with the things that matter is always better than having lots of stuff and still craving more! 

Are You Content?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:31-33

 

You've seen the ads that tell you (scream at you) that without their product or service your life is miserable.  They tug at your vanity.  They play to the idea that your paycheck is never enough.  Some will even strive to get you to believe you can actually get something for nothing.  Others will tell you that if you have ever taken a drug, had a surgery, or have any sort of injury, then you need them to "get all the money you deserve."

 

The reality is, we are constantly being hammered with the notion that our lives are lacking and we should never be content with anything!  But Jesus reminds us that when we put our priorities in the right order, we have can be content.  And His recipe for contentment is very simple: Put God first above everything, live to show God is first, and you will be content.

 

Yes, there have been, and are, times when I get discouraged because my paycheck isn't bigger, but eventually God reminds me that a bigger paycheck is not the answer.  Why? Because once the "new" wears off your larger salary, you start, once again, believing that your paycheck isn't big enough anymore.  Our natural inclination is always more. Think about this mindset: "If a little is good, then a lot must be better."  That's the trap of discontentment!  

 

Yes, there have been, and are, times when I get discouraged by the fact that, as a Chaplain, I am not eligible for promotion.   But eventually God reminds me that in order to be of service to others, I am where He needs me to be.  

This hit me between the eyes the other day when I was outside with Woody Bear (our dog).  I laid down on the deck and watched the birds flying through the crystal blue sky and Woody laid down with me and promptly fell asleep.  Those few moments of peacefulness reminded me that it doesn't take much to be content.