I've had this on my mind for the last few weeks or so, and as I've prayed about it and looked for verses that affirm the idea of contentment, I have been convicted about my own guilt in this. It is so easy to see "flaws" in others, but the same "flaw" tends to be a little more difficult to see it in the mirror. Umm..there may be a Bible verse that refers to that (emphasis added, obviously, is mine)...
- Matthew 7: 3-5: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
How often is it that we see the speck in another, but totally ignore the plank in our own eye. Hmm... the plank seems to be the one that needs most attention, wouldn't you say? So..this post is my confession and acknowledgement that I'm working on removing the plank from my own eye.
The plank? Lack of contentment. Always wanting more, as if God hasn't given me more than too much.
Just a few examples of things that I recognize ...
- Seeing something that I like, and thinking I MUST have it. Doesn't matter what it is... a ring, a pair of sunglasses, a piece of cookware. Just because I like it, admire it, whatever, does NOT translate into I MUST HAVE IT! Sheesh...how much money can I save by remembering that I can admire that dress (or whatever) without buying it.
- Complaining - whether by my words or by my attitude - that someone else has more of anything than I do. Big flipping deal if my neighbor has a bigger house than I do. Whoopty do if my coworker went to the East Coast. La De Da if my sister has a bigger closet that mine. Am I hungry? No. Am I homeless? No. Am I heaven bound? Yes. Did Jesus DIE for me? Yes. Really, what else matters?
The anecdote...
- [Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!]
- There's a short little word in there that makes a big impact - "always" So I will rejoice!
- [1 Timothy 4:12 Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity.]
- In what I say, and in the way I live... I will say kind things, I will not say things that are whining in nature. I will live in gratitude. The way I love will follow suit.
- [Ephesians 4:29 Don’t let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.]
- Building others up... I don't believe that my constantly worrying about what others have will allow me the spirit to be able to edify others, but my gratitude will.
- [Proverbs 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.]
- Good golly be joyful!!! We have SO MUCH to be joyful about! SO MUCH!!!!
- [Philippians 2:14 - 15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.]
- Paying special attention here: ...ALL things without complaint or dispute...we are shining as lights of the world! I'll be the first to admit that I'm not always shining as God's light. Ouch.
A few verses for you... Food for thought, if you will.
[1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.]
[Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.]
[Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.]
[Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all
covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his
possessions.]
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