Peace and Contentment

Over the past few days, I have been thinking a lot about contentment. I will have to admit that I have not been completely content over the past several months and weeks. My relationship with the Lord has been fairly content, but dealing with the circumstances of several issues that have arisen, I can't say that I have been completely content in my spirit. I know, because my body has told me that I was not content. You have felt it before I'm sure; the empty feeling in the pit of your stomach yet the thought of food nauseates you; anxiety, the distractions of everyday living, the struggle to keep the good things in focus. Interestingly enough, the things I have been struggling with are not even my issues, but people I love. But, because I love them so much... it does affect me.

My desire is to trust Jesus, to be content as Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13.

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. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

God does not leave us helpless or hopeless. He admonishes us to keep pressing on toward the goal... to win the prize for which He has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. He gives us instruction toward peace and contentment.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable... if anything is excellent or praiseworthy... think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me... put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4: 4-9

What's in your heart?

"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean."
~ Matthew 15:16-20

Our eyes are the window to our soul. People can tell alot about us through body language, facial expressions, our eyes and our actions. You can tell alot about people by the way they speak too. Our behaviour is a reflection of what is in our heart. Sometimes we try to cover it up so others don't see and we can be good at "masking" our feelings. God does see behind all that though.

What's in your heart?

I know I'm wonderful!

For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

I'm meditating on Psalm 139:13-14 today. The truth of it is bringing me great joy... especially as a woman. I'd encourage you to read the whole Psalm to remember the great love that God, our creator and Father has for us.

You created my inmost being

God created my inmost being. My inner part. In the Hebrew the word means "kidneys". For us as English speakers, you may then wonder why I'm so excited about this verse. For Hebrew speakers at that time, however, "kidneys" referred to the "mind"; that inner part of a person that makes up who the person is.

You created my inmost being

You created my inmost being. You created me with my personality. You made me with the gifts and talents I have. You made me with the lack of interest and little comprehension for certain things as well. You made me female - with double X chromosomes and all the estrogen and hormones that go with them - on purpose. You fashioned me in absolute love and grace.

I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

This is where the rubber meets the road. If God made me, just the way I am, can I accept this and praise Him for making me so wonderfully? Maybe I need to have some adjustments made in how I view myself. Have I believed what others have said about me, rather than what God says about how He made me?

Your works are wonderful,
I know this full well.

Loving Father, work this truth in my mind and heart so I can know this full well - know this completely - that your work in creating me...is wonderful.
Then with receiving this as truth and knowing this, Lord, teach me to express this inner being - to live out how who You've made me to be - in a beautiful way... to bring praise and glory to Your Name.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." ~ James 4:1-3 (NIV)

One thing I struggle with is looking around at others and seeing what they have and where they get to go for trips and then coming home and trying to be content with what I have. I have a roof over my head.... it's ours though that we bought on our own.... We go on vacation every year and create our own memories with our children.... it's not Mexico or Hawaii, Disneyland or camp each year for my children but our own place we go to each year to spend time with our kids. I struggle with inadequacy and jealous feelings that I cannot do the expensive trips with my kids and buy them all the things I see other people buying for their children. Sometimes I am tempted to just go for it and do what others do, and say who cares to taking a line of credit out so that I can do these things for my children.

Sometimes my children complain that their friends all get to go to Disneyland and how come we can't. Our friends get a new bike when they need it and we can't. Why do we have to buy a used bike? Why can't my bedroom be like my friends' bedroom and why can't I paint it and have all matching furniture? Why can't I get whatever I want? Why can't we go out for dinner more often? Why? Why? Why?..... the list goes on.

One thing as a parent I'm thankful for is that even though my children don't understand money and the struggles of raising a family in today's society, they have just what they need. I may hear them complain when they look at others around them but we have each other and I know when they're adults that they'll appreciate the way they were brought up. We don't have debt hanging over our heads. We are responsible with our finances and buy what we need. Our motto at home is "is it a need or a want?" There are many times that my children need to remind me of the same thing when I see something on sale that would be nice. We hold each other accountable.
James 4 says "we will kill and covet but we cannot have what we want." The Message says "you want what isn't yours and risk violence to get your hands on it." To me this can be speaking about gossip and slander and how easy it is to judge someone for the decisions they make in regards to their life. I know I can do that where I see where someone is taking their family for a trip or purchases something outrageous for their child or family and it's easy for me to slander or gossip about that other person because it makes me feel good about where I'm at. That is wrong and sin.

God wants me to remain humble and have a thankful heart. In everything! I may not be the richest financially but I can be thankful that I'm the richest person spiritually because I have Jesus! When I take my eyes off Jesus and align them with the world I see things in the worldy way, not Jesus's way. The world wants us to take our eyes off Jesus and look around at us and be discontent with what we have. God gives us what we need and sees our heart. Ask..... with the wright motives. James says we ask but don't receive because we ask with wrong motives, that we can spend what we get on our own pleasures.

Align your heart with God's. Keep your eyes to Jesus and not with the world. Be thankful for what you have. It's my daily prayer for myself.