Being Content/Satisfied in Life with God and Life

[Faithful Son]

How do we do it?

Do we pray for it? Live for it?

What has God shown you about being satisfied, thankful and content about what we have, what we earn, how we live, being single, together or alone?

I want to be Content and Satisfied with what I am and have in God and my life, but it's not as easy as said.
Any tips and suggestions would be welcome. I'm tired of complaining.

 

[revbrad]

Phil. 4:

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

It is only through Christ.

I struggle with this at times myself. I have found that only through the realization of what I have (as opposed to what I don't) that I can be content. It is about focus on Christ and all He has given and done for me. Regardless of what I have/don't have in the material, I have riches beyond compare in the spiritual and eternity in splendor.

Everything here is fleeting, passing away, temporary.....the things of God are eternal.

I know it is difficult, but spiritual vision as opposed to natural vision is the key.

 

[farout]

How do we do it?Do we pray for it? Live for it?What has God shown you about being satisfied, thankful and content about what we have, what we earn, how we live, being single, together or alone?I want to be Content and Satisfied with what I am and have in God and my life, but it's not as easy as said.Any tips and suggestions would be welcome. I'm tired of complaining.

Try going to a very poor country with some christian group. I have been to Boliva twice and Mexico four times. I went to the areas that the really poor live. Spend some time and get to understand how they live on very little. Their future offers very little than work, more work and in their spare time they go to church. Eat what they eat, after your systen adjusts, which I became so sick when I came back to the US I was put in the hospital. Or try limiting yourself to 5 dollars a day for food for one week. Take a bus or walk every where you go, leave the car parked. Leave all your electronic gear alone for one week, use only pay phones. that comes out of your five dollars a day. Go to work for a week in a turkey plant for a week. It's back braking work and often you are treated like dirt. I know I did it twice whenI ciuld not find work in 1970 whit a total of four in my family. How about making your budget where you live on 50% of what you make, for a month. Most really poor have no computer, but use public ones in the library. Find someone who is really down and out and help him get on his feet.Try and get by on keeping a record of EVERY PENNY don't spend one penny unless you have no other option. Read the Bible in every place it talks about being content. Then commit it to memory. Go spend some time helping in a VA hospital. Please let me be updated on how it goes, I will be praying for you.

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

ill be watching this post as im kinda fighting with that one myself ..getting hit from all sides,, it seems just when i make ends meet someone shortens the rope. but i Know that God is not rocked by this and i dont know why i should be ....so post away im sure many more are in the same seat as we ...Rev

 

[revbrad]

ill be watching this post as im kinda fighting with that one myself ..getting hit from all sides,, it seems just when i make ends meet someone shortens the rope. but i Know that God is not rocked by this and i dont know why i should be ....so post away im sure many more are in the same seat as we ...Rev

I too am having difficulty but My God owns everything, I am His child, He will never leave me or forsake me!

Matthew 7:
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

 

[jiggyfly]

I think that contentment is the practice of giving thanks for what you have over focusing on what you don't. In reading the thread, I thought of a quote from the movie "Lonesome Dove".

“If you want one thing too much it’s likely to be a disappointment. The healthy way is to learn to like the everyday things, like soft beds and buttermilk—and feisty gentlemen.” Captain Augustus McCrae

 

[Brad Huber]

You must learn to be content no matter the circumstances. Its not easy, you must begin with knowing that this life is temporary, the things we crave are not God's view of what is important to us. If God wants you to have a quiet life, with nothing special happening, then know that God has purpose in this as well. Trust Him, He knows what He's doing.

 

[farout]

I heard Andy Stanley say about his father Dr. Charles Stanley, that he lives by, stay out of debt, give generiously The tithe is just a starting point. Debt is a huge issue for everyone, Giving out of a heart of love, even if at first it bothers you will change your outlook for life. Giving turns into joy. Do not think usung the money that belongs to God happens without consequenses. Want to become more content.......that learn to give with joy. The LORD is testing us to see if we will be faithful. For many years I was stingy and regrudged giving. When I heard about how God blessed those who tithed I got upset, I just could not believe it, and perhaps I did not want to believe it. But God changed me, Thank you Jesus,

 

[TheWidowsOffering]

.

I'm tired of complaining.

Then stop complaining and start giving thanks. . Learn to appreciate things around you even the smallest and simplest ones. If you can do, give thanks even to tough and hard situations. Do and you will see the difference

I noticed, sorry i'm the only female posted in here. Is this a men's forum? I'm just caught up with the title and wanted to share.

 

[TheWidowsOffering]

Try going to a very poor country with some christian group. I have been to Boliva twice and Mexico four times. I went to the areas that the really poor live. Spend some time and get to understand how they live on very little. Their future offers very little than work, more work and in their spare time they go to church. Eat what they eat, after your systen adjusts, which I became so sick when I came back to the US I was put in the hospital. Or try limiting yourself to 5 dollars a day for food for one week. Take a bus or walk every where you go, leave the car parked. Leave all your electronic gear alone for one week, use only pay phones. that comes out of your five dollars a day. Go to work for a week in a turkey plant for a week. It's back braking work and often you are treated like dirt. I know I did it twice whenI ciuld not find work in 1970 whit a total of four in my family. How about making your budget where you live on 50% of what you make, for a month. Most really poor have no computer, but use public ones in the library. Find someone who is really down and out and help him get on his feet.Try and get by on keeping a record of EVERY PENNY don't spend one penny unless you have no other option. Read the Bible in every place it talks about being content. Then commit it to memory. Go spend some time helping in a VA hospital. Please let me be updated on how it goes, I will be praying for you.

I like your post bro. There are times I'm also tempted to grumble. LOL - But my attitude gradually changes every time I encounter people having even a harder life situations.

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Then stop complaining and start giving thanks. . Learn to appreciate things around you even the smallest and simplest ones. If you can do, give thanks even to tough and hard situations. Do and you will see the difference

Amen dear sister

....the joy of the Lord is your strength.....
Nehemiah 8:10

Greetings Faithful Son

I wont add much to all the excellent replies you have had here.

Count your blessings dear brother, all the Lord has done for you, Sing His praises and rejoice for the littlest things
The joy of the Lord is your strength!

Each morning with my two youngest girls who are toddlers we sit down and we say..... 'Thank You Jesus for....' And they come out with a never ending list....the flowers, my hands, my feet, my voice, my toys, my breakfast etc etc. So many blessings to praise for...little things to rejoice in.

Cry for grace from God to be able to see God's hand in every trial, and then for grace....to submit at once to it.
Not only to submit, but to acquiesce, and to rejoice in it....I think there is generally an end to troubles when we get to that.
CH Spurgeon


What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me
Psalm 116:12