Believe it or not, living a life of thankfulness can actually be difficult in this world where we are surrounded by abundance. Everywhere we go, we are bombarded by marketing campaigns that mostly rely on convincing us we there are things we desperately need, or that someone else has it better off than we do. Our prayer times can be heavy on requests and lite on thanksgiving. Likewise, it is easy for us to become focused on our troubles and what we lack, or even the troubles and suffering of others, and lose sight of all we have to be thankful for in life. Even when we take time out for the Thanksgiving holiday and focus on the things we have to be thankful for, our focus can be fleeting.
The Apostle Paul claimed that he was able to find contentment despite his circumstances. Philippians 4: 12-13
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.
What Paul is sharing here is that the secret to contentment that transcends our circumstances is not learning how to live on less. It’s not somehow figuring out how to focus our thoughts on the good things and not the bad. It’s not even asking God to provide us contentment. The secret to living a life of contentment and thankfulness comes from focusing not on our circumstances or possessions, but on God, the giver and sustainer of life.
But all too often, I think we buy into what the advertisers are selling us, the lie that we can’t truly be content with what we have, where we are, or even who we are. We catch ourselves thinking, I’m pretty content, but my life would be perfect if I could just play guitar like the guys in the band, if I just had a little better job — or a new boyfriend or girlfriend, or a new car, or a new travel adventure. I could really be content if I just lost a few pounds, or if I just had that new video game console or that mac book pro. If I just . . . ______ Go ahead, fill in the blank in your mind. I could really be content if I just _______. What we don’t realize is that we’re actually saying, “God, you’re great and all, but you’re not enough.” And in doing this, we miss the secret to the type of contentment that Paul is talking about.
So how do I lay hold of this in my life? It begins with laying hold of our relationship with God. It begins with seeking a deepening relationship with Him, understanding Him more, and understanding who we are in Him.
The secret to living a life of contentment and thankfulness comes from focusing not on our circumstances or possessions, but on God, the giver and sustainer of life.
Psalm 100:1-3 says:
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
The Apostle Paul claimed that he was able to find contentment despite his circumstances. Philippians 4: 12-13
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.
What Paul is sharing here is that the secret to contentment that transcends our circumstances is not learning how to live on less. It’s not somehow figuring out how to focus our thoughts on the good things and not the bad. It’s not even asking God to provide us contentment. The secret to living a life of contentment and thankfulness comes from focusing not on our circumstances or possessions, but on God, the giver and sustainer of life.
But all too often, I think we buy into what the advertisers are selling us, the lie that we can’t truly be content with what we have, where we are, or even who we are. We catch ourselves thinking, I’m pretty content, but my life would be perfect if I could just play guitar like the guys in the band, if I just had a little better job — or a new boyfriend or girlfriend, or a new car, or a new travel adventure. I could really be content if I just lost a few pounds, or if I just had that new video game console or that mac book pro. If I just . . . ______ Go ahead, fill in the blank in your mind. I could really be content if I just _______. What we don’t realize is that we’re actually saying, “God, you’re great and all, but you’re not enough.” And in doing this, we miss the secret to the type of contentment that Paul is talking about.
So how do I lay hold of this in my life? It begins with laying hold of our relationship with God. It begins with seeking a deepening relationship with Him, understanding Him more, and understanding who we are in Him.
The secret to living a life of contentment and thankfulness comes from focusing not on our circumstances or possessions, but on God, the giver and sustainer of life.
Psalm 100:1-3 says:
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.