Content in ANY Circumstance??
as our newest CAFE DEVOTIONAL TEAM MEMBER!
Stop over to her site to welcome her!
“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.”
Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV)
So what’s the secret that Paul learned that would allow him to be content in any circumstance? For me, being content…STAYING content is a daily battle. Some days I can barely stand to look in the mirror at the body that no longer looks like the woman my husband married. Other days I find myself wishing I had more money to buy things for my home. Will this fluctuation in the feelings I experience ever go away? I don’t know for sure if it will leave me forever but I think I’ve found an antidote that will surely bring some relief from this disease.
Gratitude.
Yep, I believe it’s that simple. Oh, it may not be what Paul was thinking when he wrote what he wrote, but for me? It’s the very mindset that is the catalyst to contentment in my life.
On days when I wish I could buy something new for my home, I stop and realize that I have a home. There is devastation all over our world everyday and many would love to have the “little” that I have. On days when I wish I could drop an extra 10 pounds, I stop and remember that there are probably plenty of people who’ve had a lifelong struggle with obesity who wouldn’t mind residing in my body for a while. On days when I wish my kids would leave me alone, I remember that these days are fleeting and one day I’ll wish they were little again.
What area of your life do you need contentment? Are you single and think that marriage will bring you contentment? Do you think that having more material possessions will do the trick? You know the areas of your life where you are not content. Spend time in honest, open dialogue with God about these areas. He can handle it. Your lack of contentment and gratitude is no secret to Him.
Today, you have a decision to make. I do, too. We can choose either to be content and grateful or we can choose not to. And we must choose before we are placed in a situation where we are comparing or complaining or wanting. During temptation is not the time to decide whether or not we are content.
In Him,
Cindy can be found at her website CindyBeall.com
Labels: Cindy Beall, peace, thankfulness
posted by lori @ 12:01 AM
15 Comments:
Cindy, girl, you rock. Welcome to the Cafe. :-)
Awesome post.
Cindy, Cindy, Cindy! We must have the same kind of mirrors and homes! LOL! I could have written every word of this. It is s-o-o-o like me. Thank you. I try to constantly practice being grateful but still need to be reminded. Great piece!
Contentment seems to be a theme I run into most often here as of late...
The very next verse (13) - the one we always quote for just about everything else except in relation to contentment - is all about living and staying in the blessed state of satiety (made whole, filled, shalom)...
"For I can do all things (I can even be CONTENT!) through Him Who gives me power." Philippians 4:13
Cindy girl, you continue to bless and challenge me. Thank you being a vessel used by HIM!
Thanks, ladies! I really appreciate your kind words. It's exciting to be here.
Nice to see you branch out and get to a whole other group that will benefit from your gifts. As always you are wonderful. Of course as the head of your CA Fan Club I may be biased but I don't really think so.
Big Hearts coming your way. Keep on touching souls!!!!
It's good to have you, Cindy.
Thanks for sharing your heart....
Julie
this is good for me today.
thank you
Thanks for the reminder, and glad to see you spreading the love!
Oh Cindy, tomorrow at church I'm going to slap you. Gratitude, I'm stinky at it.
". We can choose either to be content and grateful or we can choose not to. And we must choose BEFORE . . ."
Yup. That about sums it up . . . Wonder if I can get that tattooed somewhere?
Wow, this is my first visit to this site and something led me to you, or should I say someone! ;o) Maybe the fact that we share the same first name and are both from Texas?
In all seriousness, when I read your post it really hit home and brought tears to my eyes! It was as if you were speaking directly to me! Thanks I needed that! :o)
Cindy - such good, honest reflection - and something I battle daily, too. It's a struggle to fight the "grass is greener" mentality - but God gives us so much when we focus on him, the truth is revealed!
Thank you for the message on Gratitude. There are times in my life that I forget to be grateful to God.
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It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!
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