Contentment: gratified, happy, pleased, satisfied

12/08/2011

 

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Contentment: It has been in my heart this week, the scripture that says, “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1Tim 6). Maybe because ’tis the holiday season to be greedy and lustful for things we do not have and in this scripture, God is warning us against that very thing.

But it isn’t just money, it can be anything we are lacking and desire.  Recently I have come across people that are discontent because they are married but NOT happily, and others because they are NOT married but want to be.   But the truth is, when we are content with where we are, then we will be content no matter where we are.  Sometimes I wonder if God is waiting on us to get there, to learn to delight ourselves in HIM, before He will bless us with the desires of our heart.


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Discontentment, bottom line, is sin, it reveals our lack of trust in God that He loves us and is able to give us what we need.   He is our Father and our Bridegroom, how heart breaking to have a child that is never satisfied with you as a parent, in how you have provided for them, or to have a mate that is always looking for another to satisfy the desires of their heart.

When we are discontent, we will be manipulated in all our emotions, the soulful instability will be a torment and will allow satan to steal our peace.  Without peace, we cannot be led by God.  Our joy can also be stolen, and the word says it is our strength.


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It also opens the door for the tormentor to lie to us just like with Eve when he implied that she could not trust God, planting the seeds of doubt that eventually led to her being deceived…and separated from God. I encourage you repent, and to choose to be content, to rest and trust.

Jer 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


Philippians 4:12 (MSG)
Content Whatever the Circumstances

10-14I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

‎”3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:3-5).