What God Would Have For You.....

Contentment=Happiness . . . . . . Happiness=Contentment
Not exactly what is preached by society. The world sounds more like this.." Well, this isn't exactly what I planned on, but since I can't have what makes me happy, I guess I'll be content with what I have." Sound familiar? Contentment is not settling for what your left with, it's understanding that what you have is what God would have for you. Our unhappiness and discontented attitudes are not from what we lack, but from our desire for what we lack. Too often we confuse America's dream talk to God's will for our lives. God has given us exactly what we need, at exactly the right time, and the right amount. We must seek to learn what He would have us learn.

We live in a small house, about 1200 sq ft. I have to admit, there have been times, ok, many times when I have longed for a larger house. Thankfully, God's sovereign plan has kept my family in this home. I have come to understand that He has not finished teaching us what He wants us to learn. For instance, I never would have learned to simplify our household goods, like I have been forced to, by living in a larger space. God is gently teaching me to become an efficient manager of our home by doing "more" with "less." I guess you could say that I am earning my Master's in More Stuff Equals More Work. I'll let you know if I ever get the degree on that one:)

I have also learned being content means being thankful. When I am thankful for all God has given me, I am more content with my life and circumstances. This should be a no-brainer, but it's not. It's very easy, in our selfish ways, to focus on the negatives and forget, or conveniently overlook the positives. Let me explain. See if any apply.....I am ashamed to say many do for me.

What do your pour your energies into.....

*being frustrated because your husband "never listens to you"
*being grateful your husband comes home to you every night

*tired of seeing the laundry pile up
*happy your child finally understood the difference in lay and lie

*wishing you could buy some steaks, but grocery prices are ridiculous
*grateful you found some one-dish meals the kids actually like

*complaining about all the housework to do
*thanking God for the opportunities you have to serve your family

*thanking your husband for providing for your family
*admonishing your husband for neglected house projects

Contentment comes from where we look and what we believe in, not from what we have. We must also be careful not to fall into the trap of comparing our lives with others for prideful reasons. "I should be content with what I have because others have less" or "Look how much they have, and they aren't even thankful." We can always find someone who is worse off than we are. Likewise, we can find others who are better off. We cannot allow this world to skew our perspective. Contentment is Christ. "In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12-13 Paul learned the truth, that he deserved nothing; he had no rights or claims to anything. We too must learn that, and when we do it will not matter what we don't have, because everything we have will be seen as a gift.

So tonight, in my "small" home, I am thanking God for the big changes He continues to make in my heart. Rest tonight knowing what you have is what God would have for you. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6