Contentment

 

    Have you ever thought to yourself, “Man, I wish I had (blank) like (insert name here). They have it made.” I know that I sure have. I still do to this day if I’m being honest with myself. The drive home from work is where the thought comes to mind, and it’s usually a kid driving on his way home from school. I’ll look out the window and think, how in the world does that kid drive a better car than me?! Another time I have a thought like that is when I’m watching football on tv. I think about how much money those guys make to play a game I enjoyed playing as well; I could’ve gone pro – lucky ducks. The truth of the matter is that the only thing I could go pro at is playing an armchair quarterback. Professional athletes have an absurd amount of skill, talent, dedication, and a little luck.

    You see, often we find ourselves wishing and wanting something that someone else has. We let the whisper of jealousy drown out the voice of reason, and we end up feeling envy about our circumstances. We focus on the have-nots, and not enough on the haves. The thing is, is that even though we might feel that we deserve better things, better stuff, more money, faster cars, bigger houses, longer vacations in better destinations, we have exactly what we’re meant to have and, in the time we’re meant to have it.

    The Lord gives us what we need, at the time he thinks we’re ready to receive it. God’s timing is perfect whether we understand it or not. He assures us in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” Consider the story of Abraham and Sarah, waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise of a child. Despite their impatience, God’s timing prevailed, and Isaac, the child of promise, was born. Their journey teaches us the beauty that unfolds when we place our trust in God’s appointed time.

    Trusting the timing of the Lord is an act of faith, a declaration that his plans surpass our understanding. I pray that in our waiting, we draw closer to Him, for His timing is the key to unlocking the fullness of His promises. May we stand firm in the assurance that, indeed, everything beautiful happens in His perfect time. Amen.

    In the timeless words of Paul from Philippians 4:11-13, “I’ve 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.” I pray that these words resonate in our hearts today as we gather in gratitude. Envy can be a formidable adversary, yet in 1 Timothy 6:6, we’re reminded, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” Our faith calls us to find wealth not in possessions, but in the richness of a content heart.

    We can find solace in God’s enduring presence by reflecting on Hebrew 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” In a world that often measures success by comparison, let Psalm 23:1 guide us: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” May we trust in His provision and cultivate gratitude for the blessings already bestowed upon us. James was trying to warn us of the destructive nature of envy in verse 3:16, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” Instead, we should emulate the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this God will for you in Christ Jesus.”

    In closing, I pray that as we navigate life’s challenges, we let gratitude be our anchor, and contentment be our guide. With hearts full of thanksgiving, let us cherish the abundance found in God’s love and the simple joys He provides. Amen.