Have you ever been around someone that is negative? Not about everything, not all the time but it seems that no matter how good things are going for them they will always find something to be unhappy and grumble about. One of the definitions for grumble or grumbling is to have a "discontented disposition.
You got a raise and while you are happy with the raise, you are discontented because it should have been more. You buy a house but it's not big enough. You got a great deal on used car but the neighbor down the street just bought brand new. You get the picture.
I firmly believe that this is a spirit of discontentment straight from the devil. It is a lie he feeds us, sinners and Christians alike that if we only have more, buy more, give more, do more, build bigger that we will be happy and satisfied. Only once you do these things you find that you are still bitter, still envious, still not happy and far from being satisfied.
There is a fine line between discontentment and envy and coveting.
You will never find happiness or contentment in things! No matter how much you have or how nice your things are. They are things. True Happiness comes from a close relationship with Our Heavenly Father.
I do not think there is anything wrong with having desires, hopes and dreams. In fact I think that God wants us to have them. He wants us to be always reaching forward and moving ahead. The opposite of that would be to be moving or falling backward and that is never good. He even says to make our requests know to Him so He knows that we will have wants and desires. The wrong part is allowing those desires, hopes and dreams to take over your life. To take over your happiness. To take over your families happiness. And you may do it so much or have been doing it so long that you really aren't even aware of it. And this doesn't mean we don't have rough days. We all have days from time to time that we feel a little disheartened over things. I am talking about the person that really gets in a "funk" and just never seems happy or satisfied.
I encourage you today to take a good look at all the blessings you have and then examine yourself. What are you speaking out? What are you talking about most? Is it how you are blessed and God is supplying all of your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus? Or do you have a discontented disposition, always grumbling about what you don't have but want?
Learn to be content where you are.
Nehemiah 8:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Galatians 5:22-23 Amplified Bible (AMP)
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[a]that can bring a charge].
Philippians 4:11-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be [a] content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.
12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.
Philippians 4:19 Amplified Bible (AMP)
19 And my God will liberally supply ([a]fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
So true. At the moment my husband and I are waiting to hear if his job will let him work remotely (he works in IT), which means we can move somewhere less expensive where we can afford to buy a house. This has meant an increase in our feelings of dissatisfaction with our small rental house as we dream about owning our own place. The reality is our rental is fine, we are well-placed to get to all amenities, have fabulous neighbours, and family close by.
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for contentment where ever I am!