“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” – Philippians 4:11
Content = Self-Sufficient
Truth be told, I haven’t been spending much alone time with God recently. So yesterday I decided to do something about it and set my alarm clock 30 minutes earlier so that I could start my day off on the right foot. What ended up happening was that I snoozed until my normal wake-up time and then rushed around the house getting my son ready for school. :) But . . . I took about 10 minutes once I arrived back home to actually sit and read God’s Word in solitude. Ahhhhh . . . I had no idea where I would begin (66 books can be a little overwhelming if you let it), but I ended up in Colossians and then Philippians, two of Paul’s “Prison Letters” that he penned while sitting in a jail cell in Rome.
The time spent in silence was nice. Once I got to the end of the passage, I noticed that my study Bible actually contained written notes from months past that I reminded me what “being content” actually means. I thought these notes would encourage a single mom or two . . . or anyone whose attitude is dependent on circumstance. Here’s how you can tell if you’re just "happy” versus “content”:
Signs of discontent =
1. Jumping the gun and not waiting on God (ouch!)
2. Disobedience, feelings of disappointment
3. Harboring bitterness towards God
4. Not being able to celebrate when others are blessed
5. Complaining (ouch!)
6. Making comparisons
Signs of contentment =
1. Focusing on others
2. Praising God (thanksgiving!)
3. Praying
4. Having an eternal perspective (very difficult)
5. Waiting patiently on the Lord
6. Being obedient
Sound like too much fluff? Possibly. But we can fix that. Here’s what I’m challenging myself with as far as practical, everyday application:
1. Practice thankfulness to God daily
2. Learn to trust (not easy for single moms)
3. Focus on others
I leave you with this thought, borrowed again from Paul: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil 2:3-4).
Have a great Monday!
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