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Monday, April 23, 2012

Contentment Part One: Finding Contentment Instead of Worrying

A peaceful place near Wallowa Lake in Eastern Oregon
Contentment:  an uncomplaining acceptance of my currently unchangeable circumstances

Worry and anxiety cause discontent in our lives.  If we are anxious about our current state in life: husband's job, medical issues, children's disobedience, we miss seeing the good ways that God is providing for us and sustaining us.

Matthew 6:25, 34
  "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink;  nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it's own things.  Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble."

In most cases, there's nothing we can do to fix our problems on our own.  When we turn our worry into contentment, we are in a better frame of mind to see the true magnitude of an issue and hear God's direction on how to deal with it.

We've heard that God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Futhermore, 1Timothy 6:6-8 reminds us "Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, an it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

If we put aside our worry that we will not have the basics we need to sustain our lives, (food, water, shelter) we can begin to focus on our other anxieties ans see that everything else is an issue of trusting in God an being content with his plan.

Do you have a rebellious daughter?  What else can you do but pray for help and follow God's leading?  God's answer will be better than anything you can come up with on your own, so be content while he works it out.

Is your financial peace buried deep in unmanageable debt? All you can do is seek God's direction and follow his steps to get out of it.  Be content while he works out the process.

Matthew makes a good point when he writes, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (6:27)

We've got nothing to gain by giving into anxiety.  In fact, it's a major hindrance to finding peace and accepting the place God has us in for today.

What are some ways in which you practice giving your worries to God and being content where you are?

This article was written for The Christian Home magazine, Issue 59.  Check it out for lots of great articles from other talented Christian authors!

6 comments:

  1. Wonderful post! I look forward to the rest of the series. I so need to not worry but cast my cares on him.

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  2. Great post! God has been giving me enough to do that I don't have much time to worry.

    It is such a blessing, especially since there are things to worry about.

    Annie Kate
    http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Sarah,
    This is a wonderful post and thank you so much for sharing it. I thank our Lord every morning as my feet touch the floor for the greatest gift he has giving me. Life. And I won't worry about the day's events as I know I am strong enough to take care of them.
    Blessings,
    Shirley

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  4. Worry is my weakness...handing it over has often proven difficult for me but I am learning that when I finally will let go and let God...I'm free.

    A great series you've started, I am working my way through backward :)

    Closer to Lucy popping in and joining you from the Mama Zone's Make it a Home giveaway event.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful photo to go with your wonderful words! Yes, let go and let God...

    ReplyDelete

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Mrs. Sarah Coller

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