Odds are, when you awakened this morning, you had food in the house, shelter, clothing, warmth or cool depending on the the season, a phone, a car, computer and all of the things which make our lives easier. But sometimes amidst the rush of the day, we don’t think, nor stop long enough to be grateful for the things we do have. Are we grateful for our families, close friends, a job to provide for our families? For the most part we live comfortable lives but sometimes take many things for granted.
I have been the same as many of you. We have a bad day and believe we need something to cheer us, and we buy that “thing” and for a brief moment, it does cheer us, but just as quickly the new fades and our hearts feel empty again. We believe, falsely, we would be happier if we had more. More comfort, more things, more vacations, another job, another promotion, another raise, another car, and another and another and another. The list never ends. The richest person is the one who needs the least, and when we let go, trust in Him to provide, be grateful for what we have, we will find contentment and more peace within our hearts.
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5-6
We will never be contented if we continue to grasp at things, which in the long run, never satisfy anyway, for only He can fill the emptiness in our hearts. Fulfillment, happiness, and contentment comes from being a faithful child of God and receiving one of the most beautiful spiritual blessings, prayer. There we can lay our burdens at His feet, tell Him of our joy, gratefulness for all blessings and especially for His Son and the hope of eternal life we have through Him. Only He can fill our hearts and not things. He is the True source of contentment and encouragement. “A very present help in time of trouble.” The faithful child of God should be the most joyful person on earth, for they know when their journey on earth is complete, they have the promise of eternal life with Him. And in the knowledge of this fact, they know, no matter what comes their way in the struggles and disappointments of this life, there is One who walks beside them.
“For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.” Acts 17:28
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.’ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Psalms 46:1-3
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6
More, more, more is not the answer to contentment. Happiness is found in Him, and being grateful for the problems we don’t have. When I see children I work with, I know how blessed I am. The answer lies in being content with what we have, and having a kind, faithful and grateful heart.
“Contentment is not the fulfillment of what we want but the appreciation for what we have.” ~ Unknown
Eileen Light