“Maybe everything is ok” - Contentment
Recognize, think about, the things that you currently have. A job, a friendship, money, etc. In regard to things that we have, we are often mentally trained to think into the future. To think about what we currently have and then to think about what it could be, what we “want”, or what we hope things will become. This can be wisdom, at times, but not always. Thinking ahead of what something could become, or often more devastatingly what “we want it to be”, can cause us to miss out on what currently is. To miss out on the blessing and purpose of what we have now.
By not just purely accepting and being content with what you currently have, and with what currently is, we are missing out on the joy and full blessing of now. Perhaps a relationship, a friendship or an acquaintance with someone is new and exciting. If I can accept that new friendship for what it is, be content with it and accept the blessing and encouragement that it is, for the time that it’s meant to last, then that’s the best thing I can do with that new relationship.
However, if I begin to let the ideas of my wants and desires, of what else I want the relationship to become, override my present contentment, then I may miss out on the blessing and joys of what I have now. If I have a current friendship and I have wants and desires for it to become something deeper, more intense, or possibly romantic, that may be fine. But if I let those wants and desires begin to make me discontent with what currently is, then I will begin to subconsciously manipulate that current blessing; forcing it to become something that perhaps it was not supposed to become.
If I am blessed with a financial income, I can enjoy the blessing of that provision; the peace and joy that it offers me, for its appointed season. There may be some wisdom in investing some of that money, or saving it. Yet, if I let my ideas, hopes or desires, for what “I want it to become” override my peace and contentment for what it currently is, then I may miss out on experiencing the joy, peace and blessings; both now and in the future.
Recognize what you have in your life; in relationships, in belongings, in finances, in all areas of your life. If we can recognize some things that we are not truly accepting, that we are not at peace with or content with, then perhaps we can reevaluate why.
There may be some things in our lives that should change, while other things are actually just as they should be. Some things, contrary to our beliefs, are not supposed to be different. They are just as they should be; and if we could be content, accepting them as they are, we would have peace and an ability to see them as blessings, just as they are.
It is our discontentment that is making the blessing look like a project. If we try to change our current situations, our often “disguised blessings”, into something “we want”, but something that they really aren’t supposed to be, then we are misled and only causing more lack of joy, peace and blessings for our own souls. Discontentment can ruin the blessing and joy available in our present, while “piercing ourselves through with many sorrows” in our future.
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich (who desire anything to be more than what it’s intended to be) fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money (the covetting, lust and desire for more; of anything that God isn’t intending for you to currently have) is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, (eager for more of anything that they “want” more of, or to be different, yet God hasn’t chosen to currently provide) have wandered from the faith (from trusting in God, from the peace and confidence; that He gives us all that we need in each moment), and have pierced themselves with many (sorrows) griefs.
1 Timothy 6:7-10 NIV
Paul, (in the bible), talked about personally learning to be content, in all circumstances. The circumstances that Paul said he had learned to be content with are circumstances that many of us would have a very difficult time accepting. Paul had been falsely accused by people, had been arrested and held as a prisoner, physically beaten. He had experienced being shipwrecked, without food, etc. Yet, he learned, and encourages us, to be at peace and be content even if things aren’t as you may want them to be.
Maybe it is not the fact that certain things haven’t changed that is causing us sorrow, worry, or to have a lack of peace. Perhaps it is because of our lack of contentment, trust and faith, that “all is as it should be”. Maybe if we hadn’t tried to, or would stop trying to, make something become something it is not, then we would not have the sorrows and lack of peace, or fulfillment, that we currently feel.
Let's get back to a place of contentment, of trust, faith and a peace in God. Maybe our spouse, child or boss don’t have to change right now. Maybe my view, perspective and contentment should change. Maybe I don’t need more of something. Perhaps I only need more peace, trust and contentment. Maybe not all of my desires are what God desires. If so, then some of those desires, as well intentioned as they may appear, may be piercing my soul. Creating holes in my soul through which life, joy and peace are escaping me.
God can heal you. He wants to heal you, your soul and your life. To heal even the piercing wounds which you have unconsciously brought upon yourself. We can be sure that God wants to, and will, provide for us. That He wants to bless us. The things we can know for sure that He wants us to have more of are, contentment, trust and reliance on Him; more joy, peace and love. Begin to realign your desires, and what you think your “wants” and needs are, with God’s desires. To be filled with, and to be a carrier of, love, joy, peace, rightness with God; fully content, at all times, in all things.
So good today bro- Thank you again.