January 2013 Guest Post

Well, after being absent from my blog due to end-of-year things - I am finally back! 

Happy Solar/Gregorian New Year, everyone! Welcome to 2013!

This guest post is for both December & January. The guest is Mirren Martin, who is here to give us some practical tips to grow in JOY. 

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Mirren, you did a wonderful job on this post! It encouraged me and it was truly refreshing to me that all 7 of your tips are centered around Yahovah (the Lord), Yeshua (Jesus), and our relationship with our God! 

Our Father has given you great wisdom and I thank you that you have been willing to share with others here.

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7 Practical Ways to Grow in Joy

1. Find time to spend with the Lord Jesus each day . . . the first step in finding lasting joy is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

   This promise is found in Psalm 16:11 where our Lord tells us that it is in His presence that we find fullness of joy. How can we be in His presence as humans? We can make time for Him by spending time in prayer, in praise, and in His Word. Here is the first “secret” to growing in joy—disciplining yourself to make the time to make Him your Best Friend—to have a personal relationship with Him. 

   Many Christians are void of joy in their lives. They can’t seem to “find” joy because they search for it from sources (Christian books, Christian movies, Christian friends, etc.—anything inspirational) instead of going to the Source and making time for Him each day. It is all about delighting in Him. It is so easy for us to delight in a best friend or a “special” friend (boyfriend, girlfriend), and we realize that these relationships are only deepened through spending time with that person. You spend time talking and doing things together when you want to further develop a relationship. For some reason, this doesn’t seem to connect with many Christians that, in the same way, if we want to develop a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus—one that will produce and bring forth joy in our lives—we must take time for Him. 

   He tells us in Psalm 37:4 that as we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts. What are those desires? One godly desire of many Christians is to experience joy in this world of sin and sorrow. Well, then that brings out the question of “What is delighting?” so that we can delight in the Lord, so that we can eventually experience the desires of our hearts? Delighting is making sure our heart, our love, and our all are His as Mary Ellen Beachy explains in her book Women at the Cross. She goes on to make the exhortation that if we do not spend time with God each day, it is not because we are too busy, but simply because we don’t care enough about Him. Job depended on the Lord and drawing from him so much that in Job 23:12 he talks about esteeming the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. 

   The root of where joy-sapping comes from in Christians’ lives is their choice to neglect developing or desiring a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. As the great preacher Billy Sunday once said: “If you have no joy in your religion, there’s a leak in your Christianity somewhere.” That “leak” often is simply neglecting to spend time with Him. True joy springs out of a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. As Joseph Mermion explains: “Joy is the echo of God’s life within us.” Fullness of joy is found in His presence (Psalm 16:11).

2. Realize that following Jesus’ example will bring forth joy in your life. 

   What was His example?      His example (as you study the gospels and see how he responded to people and circumstances) is one of compassion for others, servanthood, dependence upon his Father, focus on others, endurance under trials and sufferings, selfless living, seeking to bring others peace, etc. So another way to develop joy is to focus on others with these same attitudes and attributes that Jesus did. 

   Joy is an attitude of the heart. The Expositor’s Commentary says that “a Christian’s joy does not spring from his circumstances, but from the blessings that are his because he is in Christ.” Being “in Christ” means that we are His children, but it also means that we are walking in His ways—as mentioned above, walking in His ways will be following His example and striving to take our focus off of ourselves and onto others. We too often fool ourselves into thinking that we will not be happy if we have to practice servanthood, or have compassion on someone who is mean to us, etc. Well, true, it might not be the happiest of situations to force ourselves (for one example) to show love to someone who has just gossiped or slandered us behind our back. This may not make us happy at the time and we may dread showing them love, and even after doing it, we may still feel a little awkward about doing the same type of loving action again. However, happiness is not what we are seeking—too often we think that we have to do all these different things to make ourselves “happy,” equating this with joy. 

   Happiness can often be something we are selfishly reaching toward and so it leads us more into a self-focus. We think that if we get to watch our favorite movie, go to our favorite shopping place, eat our favorite food, or spend time with friends and family that we love, we will be happy. We may feel happy for a little bit of time, however, happiness and joy are very different as happiness is fleeting, but joy is an attitude of the heart. 

   Therefore, in following Jesus’ example, we are seeking joy—not necessarily happiness (but joy can definitely bring forth happiness). It is developing joy that brings us contentment in life. Happiness will continually be fading and re-surfacing, fading and re-surfacing, and that is just “life,” but if we do not have joy, it is more tragic than losing out on a happy moment. Joy can keep us going through the toughest of times, it can keep us from getting depressed, it can make us able to put a smile on our face when our world is collapsing—because true joy is sourced in our obedience to our Heavenly Father as Jesus relays to His disciples in John 15:9-11 when He says, As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love, these things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

3. Looking toward our future hope can daily help us grow in joy—that future hope being our Heavenly home with the Lord Jesus. 

   Even Jesus was encouraged when He thought about the future of joy before Him when he was to leave this earth as seen in Hebrews 12:2 where it also encourages us to look to Jesus for our encouragement: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

   In Warren Wiersbe’s Songs in the Night he says, “We as Christians should never be sad or depressed because Jesus has died for our sins and we are forgiven. Now, Jesus is preparing us a perfect home in Heaven. We can have perfect joy always knowing that we will someday be with Him in Heavenly glory forever.” Jesus encouraged the disciples by reminding them of their Heavenly home: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

   The writer of Hebrews reminds us that the body of Christ will be able to joyfully endure afflictions and that their joy is based on their expectancy of their Heavenly home: for ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance (Hebrews 10:34).

4. Finding and then focusing on specific ministries can grow much joy into life. 

   Much joy flows out of a fulfilled heart. How can one attain a heart of fulfillment? Look for ways to minister! This will “fill” you. For example, when you have a choice to spend two hours on a movie or to spend two hours babysitting your little siblings so that your Mom can have a little free time. Which endeavor will bring you more satisfaction? Will ministering to your flesh and enjoying a two hour movie that may only feed your emotional desires bring fulfillment? Or, will the babysitting (or any ministry you get involved in) bring you more of a feeling of self-worth and that you have done something to bring someone else joy? 

   A major part of growing in joy is seeking to live for others above ourselves and thus getting involved in ministries—however small or insignificant they may seem—will do much to produce a joyful heart and positive outlook on life. A joyful spirit will bring joy to others and that can be a ministry in itself. We want to be like the first part of Eleanor Doan’s quotation (and not like the last part) as stated here: “Some people bring happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.” “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves” J.M. Barrie said. 

   Warren Wiersbe in his book Turning Mountains into Molehills and Other Devotionals reminds his Christian reader to “never underestimate the influence of even one Christian. You may feel that your life is not accomplishing much; but if you are faithful to the Lord, He is using you as salt to accomplish His will where you are.” So, focusing on using our lives to minister to others can bring much joy. If you aren’t able to get involved in an actual organized or known ministry, then you can—as stated above—simply involve yourself in finding ways to make others feel joy and happiness. This is a ministry in itself. 

   As John Bartlett’s book of quotations states: “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap. The being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” Live to minister and you will grow in joy as well as grow in pleasing the Lord Jesus (Colossian 1:10).

5. Witnessing will increase our joy. 

   When we tell others the Gospel and share about Jesus Christ, not only are we giving them an opportunity to embrace the only true faith and thus secure their eternity in Heaven and not in Hell, but we are also finding the joy of sharing about our salvation. While salvation in the Old Testament was a little different than New Testament salvation, still the concept that God is our salvation and is thus saving us from evil is something that is true in both Testaments. Therefore, we can rejoice! But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation” (Psalm 13:5). 

    The more we focus on our salvation and sharing the true source of salvation with others, it becomes easier and more and more joy-fulfilling—especially when people respond! We should never lose a part of that specific joy that comes with knowing that we were part of God’s plan for saving a fellow human being. It is exciting and it is always something that can be looked back on with joy. Wiersbe says that “we have a sincere, spiritual joy in Christ because our sins have been forgiven.” We should be so excited about this and have the love for people that Jesus had, that we are daily wanting to share with others the joy we have found in our salvation so that they can also experience the same peace. 

   In Philippians 1:27 the Apostle Paul encourages believers to only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” We need to live it and preach it and this will grow our joy! And another wonderful thing is that when we share and someone responds and accepts the Gospel, we have pleased the Lord and brought joy to Heaven: I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (Luke 15:7).

6. Spending time with family and godly friends can be a true source of growing our joy. 

   Hebrews 10: 24-25 explains that in the body of Christ we have the great opportunity of finding joy in fellowship by drawing from others and giving to others encouragement: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. The Speaker’s Sourcebook includes this thought from Geike: “It is not what is around us, but what is in us; not what we have, but what we are, that makes us really happy.” What we are as Christians is a part of Christ’s body and His body is the church and His church is called the Family of God. We can find many ways to grow in joy by being with fellow, likeminded Christians. The Speaker’s Sourcebook reminds us that “Joy shared is joy doubled.” Paul expressed in Philippians 4:1 that fellow believers were his joy and crown. We need to look for ways to build relationships with our friends and family members that will be relationships that point each other toward the things of the Lord, toward His Word and then we can prove a great source of increasing joyful times in others’ lives and this will plant a joy in our hearts—the joy of serving Jesus by serving others.

7. Focusing on God’s promises and making them our own will bring lasting joy. 

   Even in the toughest times, God’s promises will pull us through! In John 16:20- 22 it talks about a few different tough times, but each of these verses ends with the promise that joy will come. Verse 22 ends with the promise that no man can take our joy. Psalm 30:5 ends with the promise that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Wiersbe says, “It doesn’t matter what you are going through, if you have Jesus as your Savior, you can always experience joy.” Colossians 1:11 explains: Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Ryrie’s study notes for this verse focus on the portion: with joyfulness. Ryrie says: “This is what distinguishes the Christian’s patience and longsuffering from the Stoic’s.” In other words, Christians can show joy even in the midst of times when they are having to exercise patience and longsuffering because they have God’s promises to lean on. After all, it is the joy of the Lord that is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10)! When we have problems growing in our joy, we need to take a moment and focus on one or several of God’s promises to us and we will find ourselves being encouraged and strengthened in the Lord and this will produce joy as we realize that we can trust God’s promises! Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice (Psalm 63:7).  

Thanks again, Mirren, for taking the time to guest post! I hope you are have been encouraged by Mirren's words of wisdom today!

November 2012 Guest Post

This month's guest post comes to us from Nela. I hope you enjoy reading what Nela has to say!


What is Joy & Why do We Need it?

                                    Source: Uploaded by user via Nela on Pinterest

Joy...a feeling of bliss and happiness that burns in our souls and shines through our countenances when we are most content. Like a flower bud bursting open in the springtime. 

But it can also be hard to feel "joyful" when we are going through a hard time. We give into temptation, letting the feelings of doubt and despair enter our minds, making us wallow in self-pity.

But that's why we have a Savior. Even as we walk through "the valley of the shadow of death" He'll be there with us, giving the encouragement that we need as we listen and apply it to our everyday lives. 

So why do we need joy? Because it is what gives us hope. For without hope, we would have no faith, and without faith we would be hopelessly lost in a fallen world. But since Christ died for us over 2,000 years ago on a cross that should have been meant for us, we can now have eternal fellowship with Him. 

So what better joy is there, knowing that the Lord (the Creator of the universe and beyond) is on your side, and will help sustain you in your darkest hour? Nothing.

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Hello! My name's Marianela (but everyone calls me Nella for short), and I'm a blogger over at "Beloved Star". Some of my passions and hobbies are cooking, baking, reading, writing, martial arts, exercising, photography, and of course, blogging. ;) I am also a sinner saved by the grace of God, through faith in the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. So come over and visit for awhile. I would love to meet you. :) 

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I hope you all were encouraged by Nela's guest post today!
Thank you Nela for guest posting here, may the Lord bless you as you strive to live your life wholeheartedly for Him! ;-)

October 2012 Guest Post

This month's guest post comes to us from Britt.

   Britt blogs over at Encouragement for Everyday Struggles & Designed to Inspire.

Joy

   Hello, this is Britt from Encouragement For Everyday Struggles. Mandie mentioned to me that this month's Guest Post was to be about Joy. Thanks Mandie for asking me to guest post!! 

   To be honest, for me being joyful often depends greatly on my circumstances and the type of day I am going through, sorry to say. Being joyful in hard times is something I think we all have trouble from time to time. Yes, we may say being joyful is easy to do, but when hard times come and trying circumstances arise it is hard to find the “joy” deep within us and know that we can be happy even through so much suffering. God tells us directly from 1 Thessalonians 5:16 that we should be “thankful always” and be happy for what we are going through. This may not come easily to us- and I don’t think it is supposed to. We are sinful and don’t have the right motives all the time. I think that God allows us to go through things to test our faith so we grow closer to Him and lean more on Him. 

   Being a joyful person really does help us spiritually, emotionally and physically. When we are joyful it makes our whole outlook on life seem change and also is shown to help increase our health. (Proverbs 17:22- A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones). 

   One thing that we should try to do more often is be joyful in the circumstances God has placed us in and not just look at all the bad things in our life. Yes, things may be bad and hard right now and it may be difficult getting up each morning, but we have so many things to be thankful for- a family, a home, a God who loves us and especially an eternal home waiting for us. 

   We have so much to be thankful and joyful about! Don’t forget how much you have in your life that you can be rejoicing over today- thank God that He has allowed you to have another day on the earth to help inspire others and also grow closer to Him. : )

Thanks Mandie for letting me guest post!!! Such a great topic to write on!

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Thank you, Britt for guest posting here! You always write such encouraging posts ;-)

September 2012 Guest Post

This month's guest post is by Rachel. 

   Rachel blogs at Peculiar Treasures, Tehilla Magazine, & Girls With Curves.

   This is the last guest post on Contentment for the time being. The next 3 month's Guest Post Topic is not set quite yet.

   So, without further adieu, Rachel:

What is Contentment?

What is contentment? The definition of contentment is "A state of happiness and satisfaction". The world and media whispers in our ears every day that in order to be content you have to have the perfect physical appearance, you have to buy this new item, you have to wear the latest fashion and you have to have a boyfriend or you're not 'normal'. But all these messages are directed to everything on the outside. Not once do you get an article in a magazine like Teen Zone telling you how to be a better sister, friend, and daughter. But rather it focuses on criticizing other people because of what they're wearing or gossiping about what's happening in their lives.

So how do we become content in a world like this? I read a quote once that said, 'Contentment is the realization of what you already have'.

Contentment is not looking at other people and envying a part of their life or wishing and wondering what your life would be like if 'this' was different! This has been a long journey for me. I used to fall into a deep pit of envy, jealousy and discontentment almost every time I walked out the door, read a book or watched a movie. Because you walk out the door and there are all these women out there with these seemingly perfect bodies, you read a book about someone's perfect life or you watch a movie about things that don't really happen. The love story in movies can make it look like a fairy tale and these stories don't really show the hard reality of it all, then you become discontent because you want a romance like that one that looks perfect on the big screen, then you become dissatisfied with what you already have.

I can either become discontent about living like a gypsy and not having a set place to call home or I can be content about having a roof over my head and food on the table.

I can either be discontent and angry that my parents got divorced or I can be grateful that God has brought a man into my mom's life who truly makes her happy.

I can be discontent about not having friends to hang out with on the weekends or I can be content about the very special few friends that I have even though they're either on the Internet or I can't see them often.

I can be discontent about not having an earthly father giving me love and protection or I can be content that I have a heavenly Father that trumps any earthly father no matter how perfect they seem.

It's all about perspective. You can see the good or you can see the bad. It's your choice. Paul was happy and content even when he was in prison. He could easily have been miserable and complained to God asking why this is happening to him but ... instead he saw it as a way of furthering the Kingdom of God.

"But I would that you should understand, brethren, that the things which happened to me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places." Philippians 1:12 & 13

"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." Philippians 4:12-13

So what will you choose?

   Thank you for writing such a great post on contentment, Rachel!

   I hope you all were blessed by Rachel's words of wisdom today ;-)

August 2012 Guest Post

This month's guest post is by Taryn Martin.

    Her family's ministry is Biblical Discipleship Ministries. Her father, Dr. Jobe Martin, wrote the book, The Evolution of a Creationist & has two DVD series called Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution & Creation Proclaims. (I think both sets have 3 DVD's right now). Be sure and take a look at the Martin's websites! 
  
   I'd like to personally thank Taryn and Mirren for doing these guest posts for me! Conversing with you both has been awesome ;-) I look forward to seeing you again!

   So, without further adieu, Taryn:

Contentment in the Lord is a Rare Jewel

What do the majority of life’s yearnings, strivings, and frustrations stem from?—A lack of contentment. Contentment is something that we all struggle with in different areas, but what an amazing impact you can make for Christ when your soul is lifted with this spiritual pillar! We should be encouraged in our struggle to be content, knowing that even the Apostle Paul had to “learn to be content” (Phil. 4:11). However, Paul also says “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 1:13).

If Christ as our Creator and Redeemer commands us to be content with what we have and then promises that He will never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5), then it IS possible to live above our circumstances and choose contentment. First Timothy 6:6 reminds us that “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” Contentment stems out of a right relationship with our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. It provides a sense of peace and acceptance in the midst of life‘s unpredictable circumstances. Contentment is a rare jewel because it is the most powerful tool that can be used to respond to the frustrations and feelings of discontentment that life brings.

If you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior then true contentment starts with developing a close relationship with Him where you learn to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Pr. 3:5). Just as you spend time with your best friend, talking and sharing, you must do the same with the Lord Jesus. He promises that if you “acknowledge him, in all you do that ―he shall direct thy paths”; if you “depart from evil. It shall be health” to your whole body; if you “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase” your physical possessions will be greatly blessed (Pr. 3:6-9 excerpts). Thus, complete trust in the Lord’s love and provision for each of us is the first key to true contentment. Each of us must believe that the Lord loves us even more than we love ourselves and that He wants what is best for us even more than we do. Are you ready, after praying for something for years, to truly say “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Lk. 22:42) as Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane when facing His crucifixion? Do we trust in the Lord enough that when He answers the prayer of our heart with a “no” (because He knows better than we do what is the very best for our future) that we can respond with contentment and not anger and discontented feelings? The Lord promises us in Isaiah 26:3-4, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ⁴Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” A heart trusting completely in the Lord’s protection and provision will bring a contented peace to the soul that will empower each of us to rightly respond to life’s twists and turns.

Why does contentment give your life a peace that has power? When you choose an attitude of contentment and trust upon the Lord’s grace for whatever comes across your path, you are opening yourself up to be used without reserve however the Lord wants to use you for His glory and praise. Instead of reacting to life’s adversities as frustrations to be avoided, see them as the Lord’s university where He is going to teach and train each of us for the future—polishing us into those rare jewels. One of the most illustrative Puritan writers was Thomas Watson who wrote an amazing work called The Art of Divine Contentment. In this book, Watson beautifully put contentment into word pictures that vividly show how powerful an attitude of contentment can be. He calls divinely given contentment a “golden shield” which will protect its bearer from all the discouragements of life (62).

There is no way to capture the full meaning of Watson‘s word pictures in summaries so below are some of his most poignant expressions on contentment. “[Contentment] is a sweet temper of spirit whereby a Christian carries himself in an equal poise in every condition (19).” “Contentment makes a man in tune to serve God. It oils the wheels of the soul and makes it more agile and nimble” (60). “Contentment is like the cork which keeps the heart up when it is sinking through discouragement. Contentment is the great support; it is like the beam which bears whatever weight is laid upon it. No it is like a rock that breaks the waves” (63). “Contentment, as a honeycomb, drops sweetness into every condition. But discontent is a leaven that sours every comfort” (68). “‘Sickness,’ says contentment, ‘is God‘s furnace to refine His gold and make it sparkle all the more’” (69). “A contented Christian is an advocate for God against unbelief and impatience, whereas discontent takes everything from God in the worst sense; it accuses and censures God” (69). “Discontentment is not only below faith, but below reason. . . .[Because] a Christian is invested with the title and privilege of sonship [through Christ] (Eph. 1:5). . . . A discontented man is a proud man; he thinks himself better than others, and therefore finds fault with the wisdom of God that he is not above others. . . . Discontent is nothing else but the boiling over of pride” (81).

Thus, a heart that is truly content in the Lord’s plan and timing in each of our lives is able to accept whatever circumstances that come along with the right attitude. May each of us be just as the young pauper when he contentedly looked at his meal of bread and water and said, “All this and I have Jesus too?” The Bible tells us that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). True contentment will open a channel in each of our lives which will allow the character qualities of Christ to flow out of each of us and minister to all those around us. If each of us is truly living before the “Audience of One” then we will be content not trying to gain or prove things to others. Contentment must be learned and practiced as our relationship with the Lord deepens so that as we grow in Him it truly becomes a rare and sparkling jewel. 

   I hope Taryn's thoughts have blessed you today, my dear readers!

Au revoir! (good-bye)

July 2012 Guest Post

Hello all! Today I am privileged to post an article of  a dear young lady, Mirren Martin. She has been so kind as to agree to write a guest post for this blog! Her sister Taryn will have a guest post on here soon as well.

   Her family's ministry is Biblical Discipleship Ministries. Her father, Dr. Jobe Martin, wrote the book, The Evolution of a Creationist & has two DVD series called Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution & Creation Proclaims. (I think they both have 3 DVD's right now). Be sure and take a look at the Martin's websites! 
   Our family has bought many of the books and videos they sell including Mirren's booklet, Biblically Handling Technology and Social Media. Mirren did a wonderful job on the booklet and the truths she points out are very good. Everyone using social media and the like should think about the points she makes. =)

   So, without further adieu; some thoughts on contentment from Mirren:

A Few Thoughts on Contentment

    Contentment is something that can take a long time to figure out! We can say the words, “I want to be content,” or “I am content,” or “I should be content,” and have the correct mindset in this area, but getting the mindset to truly become a reality is so much harder. 

    Sometimes we are being dishonest with ourselves and don’t even realize that we have deceived ourselves into thinking we are content, but deep down inside we really are not. Perhaps we get into these dishonest “ruts” because we do not take the time to ask God: Search me O God and know my heart . . . (Psalm 139:23). And then sometimes we can ask Him this out of formality and not be sincerely tenderhearted to His answer. 

    So, our mindset and our “heartset” should be continually humbled before the Lord asking Him (since we have the propensity to be dishonest with ourselves) to search our hearts for us, and then to work in our lives to make us willing to admit how our flesh has gotten involved in directing our lives instead of daily living out and living in God’s will.

    It is clear in the Scriptures that the Lord is the One who satisfies—He wants to be the fulfillment of our longings which will bring us contentment. Psalm 107:9 says, For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. The first step in living a contented life is our relationship with the Lord Jesus. It really is impossible to be truly content unless we have this relationship. Many Christians are saved—they have truly believed and accepted the Gospel—but they do not discipline themselves to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. (Ways to develop this relationship are to read His Word as if it came from a dear friend that you have been longing to hear from, or to pour out your heart (Psalm 62:8) to Him as if He was your best friend). 

    It is obvious that the world struggles with discontent as our culture shows the complete dependency that society has on entertainments (television, Internet, social media, movies, novels, food, sports, etc.). Sadly, the same addictions and cravings that the unbelievers focus on for contentment captivate and distract Christians also.

    True contentment is close to impossible to understand or achieve without a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. Until we take the time to get to know God’s heart, it is hard to fully sense His security, fulfillment, and love for us in its purity. Too often we think of contentment as a life with our desires getting fulfilled, but contentment is a choice—just like being an Olympian who has to make the choice to discipline himself if he ever wants to achieve the gold medal. Paul confirms this when he says in Philippians 4:11 that he had LEARNED to be content—it didn’t just come naturally, he had to discipline himself to achieve this.  There is much freedom once the power of contentment is realized, but it takes discipline to get there!

    If you are single, consider this . . . only the Lord Jesus will give you the safety of unconditional love. A godly man will strive toward practicing unconditional love toward his wife, but only God can give you absolute, unconditional love. He will never hurt you physically, spiritually, or emotionally. He will listen to all of your heart’s needs and desires and then be your refuge from life’s troubles: “Trust in Him at all times . . . pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” Psalm 62:8. We have the security of knowing Who Jesus is because He has revealed Himself to us through His Word.

    In Jesus is complete security. I Timothy 6:6 says, But godliness with contentment is great gain. One blessing and “gain” that we can receive from finding our contentment and security in the Lord is that we can always feel safe knowing that He is in control of our lives if we let Him have the reins. If we believe that He is looking over our lives with the greatest love and care imaginable, then we need to secure the thought in our minds that as we are delighting in Him (Psalm 37:4) He will give us the desires of our hearts. This verse surely doesn’t mean that what we think are our desires are will be fulfilled, but rather what He knows are desires are, desires that we may not even know we have. Delighting in Him can release us from the fear and the feelings of discontent. 

   When feelings of discontent come up in our lives, we can (by God’s grace) get over these by filling our minds with gratitude and remembering all we have, which is a love from Jesus that will never be broken: Romans 8:38-39 says, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I hope we will all think carefully about the truths presented here today! Contentment is crucial!

Thank you for your lovely post, Mirren! I hope to have you back in the future!