Sunday Drive - The Secret To Being Content

Happy Thanksgiving! Praying you all enjoyed Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time with family and friends.

Is there really a secret to being content? I don't know if I have it all figured out... but Paul, from the Bible, seemed to find the secret.

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Paul had experience both aspects of supply.... Being in need and having plenty. Yet, his contentment didn't depend on those things. He looked to the source, Christ.

A little bit farther in that same passage, Paul reminds us who provides all of our needs.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

When we are in need, we can grow closer to our supplier. God draws us in. He wants to fill us with joy regardless of how much or little we have.

Unfortunately, there will always be people in need. It's sad, but true. We have an opportunity to be generous and give. To look outside ourselves and do something for those in need. There is a beautiful blessing in giving.

Have ever felt almost guilty for being blessed and having plenty? Unfortunately, I've felt this way before.... why should I have so much, when others are suffering with so little? I have to remind myself that my heavenly Father loves to give good gifts to His children. 

Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Why do some have more and some have less, I do not know. It doesn't mean that God loves some better than others. 

What I do know, is that my thinking is nothing like God's. His ways are very different than mine and He has a purpose greater than I could ever imagine.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Even though I have plenty today, there have been times in my life when I was in need. So, I've been in both situations. Yet, having more or less doesn't determine contentment. It can make life easier or harder, but it doesn't determine contentment.

So, what's the secret to being content? I think there is more than one answer. Perhaps, a combination of thankfulness, trust, and acceptance and being generous. 

I am thankful for the good blessings in my life, whether I have much or little.
I trust that the Lord is good and will supply all of my needs.
I choose to accept the will of The Lord for my life.
I will choose to be generous with what I have to help those in need.

Blessings,
Lori