I stumbled across this free ebook for Kindle this week and decided I needed to grab it!
You see, I struggle with Anxiety and Panic Attacks. It is under control but something I deal with from time to time. After reading the first chapter, I decided I wanted to share some things I took away from it!
Am I content? Well of course, I am so blessed with a wonderful husband, 3 healthy children, a house, clothes, food.....but DEEP DOWN do I wish for more? A bigger house? more clothes? the newest technology? to be skinny? the list could go on and on...you see, I don't know that I'm truly content. I WANT to be content with all the God's blessed me with but how?- When we have God's perspecitve, we view our lives and evaluate what is important from HIS viewpoint
Contentment happens on the Inside
Most of us base our contentment (including ME) on our circumstances, on our feelings, or on other people. However, true contentment is separate from our circumstances. Contentment is a state of the heart, not a state of affairs.
The apostle Paul an amazing statement in the book of Phillipians:
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13)
Paul's life was anything but perfect and controlled, yet he said he had LEARNED to be content...
Can we learn to be content? if so, HOW?
Phil. 4:13 "I am able to face anything by the one who makes me able" another translation
I am strong for all things in the ONE who constanly infuses strength in me
At ALL times, in ALL circumstances, Christ is able and willing to provide the strenth we need to be content
HOW??? He infuses contentment into us through His Word. As it seeps into our minds, it transforms us. Just as a cup of tea gets stronger when it give it time to seep, so we become more content when we spend time in God's Word and allow it to seep into our lives, transforming us to be like Him!
I'll leave you with the words of wisdom of a Missionary (found in her diary)
*Never allow yourself to complain about anything--not even the weather
*Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else
*Never compare your lot with another's
*Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise
*Never dwell on tomorrow--remember that tomorrow is God's not ours
WOW! Her secret was that her eyes were fixed on eternity. Her tomorrow belonged to God. She had given them to Him. And because all her tomorrows were nestled in God's strong arms, she was free to live today. One day at a time she could make the right choices and grow to possess the holy habit of contentment.
