Contentment - Karen Caviness
Have you ever thought of how strange it must seem to God that we can go from one
holiday where we focus on being thankful for all the blessings that God has given us
straight into the next holiday, where our focus should be on the greatest gift ever
given; however, this is the time of year that many people seem to become
discontent. Sometimes it is discontentment because we think we won’t get that
special gift we have really been longing for. Or perhaps it’s not so selfish; our reason
for discontentment is because we don’t have the means to give the gifts we wish we
could.
But what does God have to say about contentment?
•1Tim. 6:6 - But godliness with contentment is great gain.
•Phil. 4:11 - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever
state I am, therewith to be content.
So lets take a few minutes and look at three different areas in which we as ladies
need to work on learning to be content.
I. Content in God’s Provision
•I Tim. 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
To help us with this, there are two things we must do. First, stop comparing!
•2Cor. 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves
with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise
When we begin to look at what others have and comparing it to what we have, we
soon become discontent. Whether it is material things like clothes, house or car, or
immaterial like how romantic your friend’s husband is and yours is not! God says we
are not wise to compare. We need to realize that comparison kills contentment but
it breeds covetousness.
• Heb. 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such
things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Secondly, start counting your blessings! When we turn our focus from the things we
don’t have to the bountiful blessings we do have, it will help us be content.
•Psa. 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the
God of our salvation. Selah.
•Psa. 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
II. Content in God’s Protection
God’s protection is not always obvious to us so, “in everything give thanks” and be
content! I think of the many stories of people who were late for work at the twin
towers on 911 because of some frustrating circumstance such as a flat tire or lost
car keys. In the moment they were not thankful for the flat tire but later realized it
was what God used to protect them and spare their lives. My uncle who was a
missionary to Brazil for over 30 years recently told me this story. One day each
week he would get in a boat and make his way up the river to a village deep in the
jungle. He worked hard to keep his boat serviced and in good condition for this
ministry. One day he was part way up the river when the motor on his boat just
suddenly stopped. After trying over and over to get the motor started he finally had
to paddle his way back home. He was so disappointed and began to grumble to God
about how hard he worked to keep that boat running, how those Christians in that
village were not going to get preached to and how he didn’t understand. Soon after
that day he was at funeral of a brother of one of his jungle converts. The man told of
how angry his brother had been that he had accepted Jesus as Savior. His brother
had taken his machete and hid at the bend of the river waiting to kill the missionary
when his boat came around the bend; but on that day the boat never came. My uncle
realized that was the very day the motor had stopped and he had to go back home. It
was a great lesson to him to give thanks and be content even in the frustrations of
life because we may not know how God is using that for our protection!
Remember that God does not promise to keep us from trouble, but will be our
refuge in it, so be content!
•Psa. 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the
morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
If we like Peter take our eyes off of the Savior and start focusing on the storm
around us, we too will surely begin to sink! Instead of grumbling about the size of
the waves, be content and thankful that the one who can whisper, ”Peace, be still”
and calm the raging storm is there with you to give you grace and strength to make
it through. Whether he chooses to calm the storm, or to calm you in the midst of the
storm, be content!
III. Content in God’s Direction
Prov. 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
Have you ever followed your GPS or maps app only to find out it took you to the
wrong place? We can be content to know that God will never lead us down the
wrong path. Now the path he chooses for us may not be the one we would have ever
chosen for ourselves. Our life may suddenly take an unexpected detour that we
never saw coming. That’s why being content in God’s direction takes trust.
•Prov. 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Sometimes we don’t understand why God is taking our life in a certain direction; we
just have to trust him.
Being content in God’s direction also requires the right perspective. Quit looking at
all the bumps and potholes in the road and start focusing on the destination to
which that road leads.
•2Cor. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
• James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let
patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
As the holiday season rolls around, don’t let Satan tempt you to grumble and
complain and to have a “bah hum-bug” spirit. Keep on counting your blessings and
work on being content in God’s provision, God’s protection, and God’s direction!
Have a very Merry Christmas full of contentment!