The Secret of Living in Contentment

 

Jesus encouraged us to have joy in tribulation, because He already experienced every issue we will ever face. He lives within us, so He inspires us to change our focus about life (John 16:33; Hebrews 2:18, 4:15).

Paul and James experienced more trials in their lifetime than we ever will, and they gave us the same advice to rejoice in our tribulation (Romans 5:3, 12:12; James 1:2). In fact, Paul also told us to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4).

The secret of learning to be content is to realize that this earth is not our home (Philippians 4:12). With an eternal perspective, we realize who we are in Christ and we stop worrying about earthly pursuits and dreams.

An eternal perspective allows us to have joy in adverse circumstances (2 Corinthians 4:16-17), because issues on this earth have less significance to us than those pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

We trust in the Lord with our whole heart, holding nothing back, not trusting in our self or any fleshly advantage, submitting everything to God and embracing His will as our own (Proverbs 3:5-6).

If we wait patiently for the Lord, we shall not be moved, even in times of great stress or persecution. Christ is our solid rock on which we stand, our strong tower from the enemies, which come against us (Psalm 40:1-2, 61:3).

When someone offends or harasses one of God's children, He takes it personally just as if the person was afflicting Him with our pain (Acts 9:5-6). He is our refuge and strength in any sign of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

We quietly rest in His care, knowing that He always delivers us through all of our afflictions (Psalm 23:4, 34:19). Even when He disciplines us for our sinful behavior, we can rejoice that He loves us as His children (Hebrews 12:3-6).

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for teaching us to have an eternal perspective on life. We want to learn to be content as Paul did and to walk in Your nurture and admonition (Ephesians 6:4). Keep us ever faithful to Your Kingdom's work and remind us that if we fail to witness to the ones You put in our path, their blood is on our hands (Ezekiel 3:19-20).

Help us to see that all we actually need to be content is food and shelter (1 Timothy 6:8). Teach us that the pursuit of this world's goods never satisfies; yet, when Godliness is accompanied by contentment, we reap many rewards (Ecclesiastes 5:10; 1 Timothy 6:6).

Thought for the Day:

When we are joyful and content, our attitude shows on our face; but when we focus on our tribulation, the weight of it will break our spirit. - Proverbs 15:13

God's Spirit

A lack of peace and victory in our life occurs when we severe our connection with God’s Spirit by sinful behavior (Ephesians 4:30). If we will allow Him to do so, God’s Spirit will deliver us from the temptation of sin (Matthew 4:4). Christ’s victory on Calvary’s cross set us free from the power of sin and death (Romans 7:24-25). Christ in us is our only hope of eternal glory (Colossians 1:27).

Without the Trinity, we struggle to maintain victory in this sin-cursed world. As Christians, we often rely more on our own efforts in this world, than in relying on God’s Spirit within us. We are God’s handiwork, and He wants us to do only the works, which He created for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). We do not need to earn our connection with God, it is guaranteed (Ephesians 1:14).

The Kingdom of God cannot be found in our carnal attempts to please God, but lies in our righteousness, peace and joy, which comes from abiding in the Holy Spirit within us (Romans 14:17). God’s Spirit gives us everlasting life (Romans 8:13). He does not come and go in our life, reserved just for special occasions; but He is constant and reliable, always available to us through every moment of the day (Romans 8:9).

We did not earn our salvation by our human effort and we cannot walk in sanctification by human effort either (Galatians 3:1-3). The Spirit of God rebirths our spirit, which was dead in Adam’s sin. Then, He sanctifies our soul from one level of maturity to a higher plane of spirituality (2 Corinthians 3:18). Unless we live by the power and direction of God’s Spirit, we will not walk in fulfillment and victory in this life.

Prayer:

Father God, remind us to trust in You to bring us into Your will for our life. You give us the faith of Christ and the power of Your Spirit, so that we can walk uprightly in this world. Thank You that we are no longer a part of this world, even though we still have to live in it. Our flesh is crucified with Christ in baptism, and we are raised to walk in new life with You (Romans 6:4). Remind us that Christ is our life (Colossians 3:4), and nothing on this earth can satisfy the longing in our soul.

Thought for the Day:

If we trust in our self, we fail. Only God can work out His will for, in and through us. – Philippians 2:12-13