| Contentment |
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How happy are those who fear the Lord, all who follow His ways. Psalm 128:1
Have YOU found true contentment in life? To what or to whom are you drawn to when seeking out that which you need? If you are searching for contentment in life, one can find the answer by examining the following key areas; Perspective, Priorities and Power. Let's have a look.
Contentment comes through Perspective. We each need to have the right perspective in order to be content in life. Stop for a moment and ask yourself what your perspective is on life? How do you view the world around you? Do you see only problems in your life or do you see all of God's gifts and blessings? Scripture tells us that if we are to be happy and content in life, we need to remain focused on Christ and our relationship with Him. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we are reminded of all the blessings and promises we receive when we remained focused on Him. Have you ever found yourself in an anxious situation? Have you ever been troubled by a problem at work? Does the world have you flat on your back? Regardless of your situation, you will find true contentment when you stay focused on God and the blessings He has given you in life....do not sway and remain focused on the awesome promises of Christ. Contentment is Perspective! (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Contentment comes through Priorities. Priorities are another area that are so critical to experiencing contentment in our lives. Have you ever taken the time to make a list of YOUR priorities? In fact, take a moment right now and write down the things that are most important to you in life....listing them from greatest to least. What did you discover? What appeared at the top of your list? Whether we realize or not, many times our priorities can shift in life without us even being aware of the change. While the shift may be subtle, it can be dramatic in terms of how it effects the way we experience life. If work has become a little too important in life, you will soon discover that the highs and lows of the workplace will influence the highs and lows of your life. Or perhaps your priority is your hobby and you are only truly content when you are spending time enjoying your favorite past time. While we often find a brief period of contentment through these efforts, it is never the kind of sustaining contentment that we want and need in our lives. Ever wonder what life might be like with Christ as your #1 priority? Have you ever made the choice to live every day of your life this way....I mean truly and honestly making God the focus of your entire day? Scripture tells us that the only way to true contentment in life is by making Christ our first priority and that when He is first in our life, we can then truly experience a life full of contentment and filled with peace. Contentment is Priorities!(Matthew 22:37-38)
Contentment comes through Power. Power is a critical third spoke in the wheel of contentment. How many times in life have you heard someone say; "you can do it" or "it's all up to you!" We can find ourselves challenged in these situations, can't we? In fact, many times there is little or no contentment in these types of situations, as we can truly feel the pressure to perform and try to accomplish things on our own. Life can be tiring and consuming if we continue to try and operate in our own accord and do not get plugged into the one and only true source of power. The Bible is clear in this area as scripture refers our true source of power as being the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Try as we may, there is nothing WE can do that can compare to that which the Holy Spirit can do in us and through us. The power of the Holy Spirit is the very same power that came upon Jesus at His baptism, it is the very same power that Jesus used to heal a blind man, the very power that Jesus relied on to bring Lazarus back to life AND the very same power that was responsible for the resurrection of Jesus Christ himself. There are endless examples that prove beyond any doubt that it is ONLY by the power of the Holy Spirit that we truly find contentment.....more so than anything we could ever even try to accomplish on our own. Contentment is Power! (Acts 1:8)
So, what can we learn about contentment through the three characteristics mentioned above? I believe it's as simple as this; It's not about HAVING what you WANT in life, but instead WANTING what you already HAVE! Think about it.....in fact, re-read the last sentence and then ask yourself this; Are you always searching for something more? Do you constantly feel that your life is missing something? If so, perhaps you are struck in the mode of always trying to have what you want....a continuous battle that you fight in order to find contentment for your life. Always seeking, always searching for something more.....but never really finding it. Truth be told, in order to truly be happy and to be content in life, the Bible tells us that we need to start appreciating that which we already have in our lives.....that which God has already blessed us! We need have a look around and challenge our perspective a bit, question the order of our priorities and to possibly re-focus our power source on the Holy Spirit. In fact, when we view life from an eternal perspective as God instructs us, when we make Christ THE main priority in our lives AND when our power source is found only through God's Holy Spirit, it is then and only then that we are content in life.
You see....It's about His Perspective, His Priorities and His Power that we are made content......and it is there my friend that you will also find His peace.
"All In" Thought for the week;
It's not about having what you want in life, but instead wanting what you already have!
"All In" Action Items for the week;
1. What does this scripture verse mean to you?
2. Are you content in life? Why or why not?
3. Are you more focused on having what you want or wanting what you have? Explain.
4. How can you be more content in life? Make a few notes and meditate on them.
5. What did you learn through this devotional?
"All In" Prayer;
Dear God, I pray for contentment in my life. Teach me to have the proper perspective in life, lead me to make you the priority of each and every day and guide me to seek your power, so that I may be content and lead a life that honors and glorifies you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. |