Many know my story-- I was such an unhappy person for such a long time. I honestly have no idea when my spirit started struggling, but one day I woke up and I could hardly get out of bed. I was depressed-- I felt overwhelmed-- I was miserable-- and I had no idea why or how. I had a beautiful family- a sweet husband- I was a stay at home Momma with nothing but time with my sweethearts. But I was still sad.
Now that I've had time to step back and look at who I was-- and who God has allowed me to be now-- I can't help but realize the reason I was so overwhelmed and so burdened was because I was not content with my life. I was constantly searching for something to fill this void inside of me. I was filling it with all of the wrongs things-- all out of discontent. All out of searching for something to make my life feel 'greater.'
And why?
I seriously had the most blessed life.
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11- "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Another version states, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I find myself." (Mounce)
Paul was content-- in whatever circumstance or situation he found himself. There were times he didn't know where his next meal would come from. He was locked in prison many times for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. And he was content.
According to the dictionary, 'content' is described as: satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
I have no idea what I wanted during my depression-- no idea what I was searching for-- longing for. On paper, I had the perfect life. All I know is I wanted more. I was discontent. And that discontent led to sadness, fear, anger, bitterness, loneliness, and agony.
1 Timothy 6:6 says, "There is a real profit, of course, but it comes only to those who live contentedly as God would have them live. We brought absolutely nothing with us when we entered the world and we can be sure we shall take absolutely nothing with us when we leave it. Surely then, as far as physical things are concerned, it is sufficient for us to keep our bodies fed and clothed."
There is a real profit that comes to those who are content in what God has given them. We brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing with us when we leave. If we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied with what we have.
According to 'Action Against Hunger,' 1 in 8 people worldwide don't get enough food to eat. The number of hungry people in the world exceeds the population of the U.S., Canada, and the European Union combined.
If we woke up this morning and enjoyed breakfast-- and we were full after... if we have a roof over our head... if we have a place to sleep... if we have clothes on our back.. we are richer than 75% of the world. (I read this on a poster-- I don't know exactly how accurate the statistics are, but the message is true: we are rich.) And if we are rich in the necessities of life-- why can we not be content?
Because we are a society that wants, wants, wants.
Oprah Winfrey said, "If you look at what you have in life- you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough."
Truth of the matter was-- I was lost and so empty inside. I didn't have Jesus Christ and His grace flowing through my veins, so I began looking for something in the world to fill me up inside. And it was never enough.
Most people try and fill the emptiness inside with: money, lust, alcohol, drugs, parties....
Unfortunately, these are temporary highs.
Money can be taken in an instant. Lust leads to broken hearts. Alcohol and drugs wear off-- and you may even become addicted. Partying only lasts for a night....
And then you wake up in the morning still struggling with the emptiness and discontent inside. Soon, these activities will not be enough and you'll look for more--
And it will never be enough. It is a vicious cycle.
Paul writes in Hebrews 13:5, "Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?" (The Message)
Be relaxed with what you have.
Be thankful for what you have.
Todd Stocker stated, "Thankfulness creates gratitude which generates contentment that causes peace."
Thankfulness --> gratitude --> contentment --> peace
It all works together for our good-- if we let it.
I have learned in whatever state I find myself to be content.
Paul said this because he knew who held his future.
It is funny- while writing this blog, I had a random worship station playing on Alexa. As I was typing 'he knew who held his future,' 'You are God Alone' came on. I thought I would share some of the words with you because this song displays why God asks us to be content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves--
You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone and right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
And you are God alone
You are God alone. And right now. In the good times and bad, You are on Your throne!
This is why we CAN be content. Because He is on the throne and in control of every situation, whether it is good or bad.
We can rest.
We can be still.
"Nobody gets everything they want. There will always be something. New problems arise. Instead of striving for perfection, strive for contentedness. Find a way to be happy with what you already have and you'll always have exactly what you need."
Jesus, help us to be content today. Help us to find peace in our situations. Fill our hearts-- fill that void-- with Your Spirit. This is the only way we can find true happiness that doesn't perish over night. Help us to be thankful for our lives-- for everything You have given us . Help us to not look at what everyone else has. Help us to be content with what we DO have. We are richer in You than we could ever be in this world. Help us to be still in that- rest in that. Help us to not feel lost or broken because of what we lack-- Help us to rest in what we gain in You.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. (This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed.) "
We give thanks to You today, Lord. You are in control. Thank You for supplying all of our needs. Thank You for never leaving us- never forsaking us. Thank you for helping us find peace in every situation. We have peace because You live in us. You breathe life in to us. Thank You for filling that lost and lonely void.
I am not the person I once was-- by the grace of God.
I no longer need to find satisfaction, peace, or fulfillment in the temporary things of this world. I find satisfaction, peace, and fulfillment in the Bible that I get to read every morning. I find satisfaction, peace, and fulfillment in the Spirit of God I get to feel every single day- as soon as I say that sweet name.
He changed my life.
I know He can change yours.
No matter what you are searching for.. what you need... You can find it in Him.
Now that I've had time to step back and look at who I was-- and who God has allowed me to be now-- I can't help but realize the reason I was so overwhelmed and so burdened was because I was not content with my life. I was constantly searching for something to fill this void inside of me. I was filling it with all of the wrongs things-- all out of discontent. All out of searching for something to make my life feel 'greater.'
And why?
I seriously had the most blessed life.
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11- "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Another version states, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I find myself." (Mounce)
Paul was content-- in whatever circumstance or situation he found himself. There were times he didn't know where his next meal would come from. He was locked in prison many times for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. And he was content.
According to the dictionary, 'content' is described as: satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
I have no idea what I wanted during my depression-- no idea what I was searching for-- longing for. On paper, I had the perfect life. All I know is I wanted more. I was discontent. And that discontent led to sadness, fear, anger, bitterness, loneliness, and agony.
1 Timothy 6:6 says, "There is a real profit, of course, but it comes only to those who live contentedly as God would have them live. We brought absolutely nothing with us when we entered the world and we can be sure we shall take absolutely nothing with us when we leave it. Surely then, as far as physical things are concerned, it is sufficient for us to keep our bodies fed and clothed."
There is a real profit that comes to those who are content in what God has given them. We brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing with us when we leave. If we have food and clothes, we should be satisfied with what we have.
According to 'Action Against Hunger,' 1 in 8 people worldwide don't get enough food to eat. The number of hungry people in the world exceeds the population of the U.S., Canada, and the European Union combined.
If we woke up this morning and enjoyed breakfast-- and we were full after... if we have a roof over our head... if we have a place to sleep... if we have clothes on our back.. we are richer than 75% of the world. (I read this on a poster-- I don't know exactly how accurate the statistics are, but the message is true: we are rich.) And if we are rich in the necessities of life-- why can we not be content?
Because we are a society that wants, wants, wants.
Oprah Winfrey said, "If you look at what you have in life- you'll always have more. If you look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough."
Truth of the matter was-- I was lost and so empty inside. I didn't have Jesus Christ and His grace flowing through my veins, so I began looking for something in the world to fill me up inside. And it was never enough.
Most people try and fill the emptiness inside with: money, lust, alcohol, drugs, parties....
Unfortunately, these are temporary highs.
Money can be taken in an instant. Lust leads to broken hearts. Alcohol and drugs wear off-- and you may even become addicted. Partying only lasts for a night....
And then you wake up in the morning still struggling with the emptiness and discontent inside. Soon, these activities will not be enough and you'll look for more--
And it will never be enough. It is a vicious cycle.
Paul writes in Hebrews 13:5, "Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?" (The Message)
Be relaxed with what you have.
Be thankful for what you have.
Todd Stocker stated, "Thankfulness creates gratitude which generates contentment that causes peace."
Thankfulness --> gratitude --> contentment --> peace
It all works together for our good-- if we let it.
I have learned in whatever state I find myself to be content.
Paul said this because he knew who held his future.
It is funny- while writing this blog, I had a random worship station playing on Alexa. As I was typing 'he knew who held his future,' 'You are God Alone' came on. I thought I would share some of the words with you because this song displays why God asks us to be content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves--
You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone and right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
And you are God alone
You are God alone. And right now. In the good times and bad, You are on Your throne!
This is why we CAN be content. Because He is on the throne and in control of every situation, whether it is good or bad.
We can rest.
We can be still.
"Nobody gets everything they want. There will always be something. New problems arise. Instead of striving for perfection, strive for contentedness. Find a way to be happy with what you already have and you'll always have exactly what you need."
Jesus, help us to be content today. Help us to find peace in our situations. Fill our hearts-- fill that void-- with Your Spirit. This is the only way we can find true happiness that doesn't perish over night. Help us to be thankful for our lives-- for everything You have given us . Help us to not look at what everyone else has. Help us to be content with what we DO have. We are richer in You than we could ever be in this world. Help us to be still in that- rest in that. Help us to not feel lost or broken because of what we lack-- Help us to rest in what we gain in You.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. (This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed.) "
We give thanks to You today, Lord. You are in control. Thank You for supplying all of our needs. Thank You for never leaving us- never forsaking us. Thank you for helping us find peace in every situation. We have peace because You live in us. You breathe life in to us. Thank You for filling that lost and lonely void.
I am not the person I once was-- by the grace of God.
I no longer need to find satisfaction, peace, or fulfillment in the temporary things of this world. I find satisfaction, peace, and fulfillment in the Bible that I get to read every morning. I find satisfaction, peace, and fulfillment in the Spirit of God I get to feel every single day- as soon as I say that sweet name.
He changed my life.
I know He can change yours.
No matter what you are searching for.. what you need... You can find it in Him.
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