Growing in Contentment

We recently discussed the problem we face when we ask "Why am I so unhappy?" Below is an outline that you might find helpful as you face this common problem (of discontentment). 

 I.      What is Contentment?

A.         “Contentment is that condition of consciously enjoying God’s goodness, whatever your circumstances. It is the ability to live a satisfied, God-pleasing life in any situation.”^[1]

 

B.         Illustrations and Lessons in Contentment

1.        Psalm 131 - Contentment is valuing God above all else so that you are happy in him rather than demanding.

2.        Philippians 4:10-13 - Contentment is learning to face every circumstance with joy by relying on the strength of Christ.

 

C.         What is some of the fruit of contentment?

1.        “calmed/quieted soul”—One that is not pridefully looking to the next thing all the time.

2.        Resting confidently in God’s strength (cf. anxious, angry, bitter, complaining, greedy).

 

 

II.    How Do We Grow in Contentment?

A.         Discern the roots of your discontentment (the idolatrous desires)

“What would need to happen for me to become content?” If your answer involves some change of circumstance or some improved relationship, then realize that this very thing is now functioning as your source of contentment. You think that if you have it, you will be happy, and that if you lack it, you will be sad. You are a yo-yo on its string; this thing has you in its grasp and can raise you up and down at will. It is an idol that functions as your god. For example, if your contentment hinges on finding a spouse or getting married, then it is not based on Christ. If your contentment will come only if your spouse or friend treats you better, or if you receive some financial blessing or physical healing, then it is not Christ-based contentment. You are building your life on shifting sand. God never meant for you to find lasting joy in anything other than Christ Himself.”[2]

a.      Monitor your actions … where do I see grumbling, self-pity, anger, bitterness?

b.      Monitor your thoughts…where do I see thoughts that are discontent? What is that “If only xyz, then I could be happy” thought?

 

B.         Rest in God’s providence and character

1.        God’s Character. A few areas to focus on: Sovereignty, goodness, wisdom.

2.        God’s Providence (Phil. 4:19)

 

C.         Curate God’s kindness

1.        Develop a museum (notebook) of God’s goodness. Mentally walk through it and be humbled / thankful.

2.        Psalm 103 is a good example of curating God’s kindnesses – he blesses the Lord for his kindnesses to him.

 

D.        Guard yourself from comparing and greed as well as setting your hope on the things of this world

1.        Don’t compare or get greedy (Luke 12:15, see also the Corinthians believers re spiritual gifts).

2.        Don’t set your heart on things that will fade (Ps 62:10).

 

E.         Realize there are needs around you and give and serve to meet the needs of others (2 Cor. 9:8)

 

F.         Set your mind on things above – have an eternal perspective (Col. 3:1-2, Matt. 6:19-20)

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[1] Robert Jones “Learning Contentment,” Journal of Biblical Counseling Fall 2002, 61.

[2] Jones “Learning Contentment,”, 60.

"We Live in Confusing Times" - Illustrating the World's Confusion on Sex and Gender

 Kevin DeYoung illustrates how confused our culture is in a helpful article at the World Opinions. It is entitled "We Live in Confusing Times: Progressives can’t keep their story straight on sex and gender." It is worth the few minutes it takes to read. 

Avoiding Worldly Thinking in Your Studies

Thinking through how to glorify God in your studies is essential. I found this short (13 minute) episode of "Ask Pastor John" to be helpful. He deals mainly with the area of studying philosophy, but the principles are helpful for all academic pursuits. 

"How Can I Avoid Worldly Thinking in My Studies?"

"Laziness Ruins Happiness"

Here is a link to a helpful article by Jon Bloom, over at Desiring God, called "Laziness Ruins Happiness." Don't be lazy. Take some time to listen to it or read it.

A few quotes:

diligence is a “heavenly virtue” because it is a means of cultivating godliness — increased capacities to deeply delight in God and his gifts. 

how we behave, over time, reflects what we believe; what we do reflects what we desire; our labors reflect our loves. 

When Scripture commands us to “be all the more diligent” (2 Peter 1:10), God is calling us to work hard toward the right ends (growing in godliness), in the right ways (what God commands), for the right reasons (love). 

Seven Ways to Prepare for a New Year

Some of you are on break (students). Others are just as busy as ever. All of us are about to begin a new year. Regardless of the extra time or lack thereof, it is an excellent time to give thought to your ways. Here is a list of a few ideas or resources to help you humble yourself, thank God, and plan for growth (feel free to suggest your own ideas):

1. Take a personal, spiritual retreat - schedule a time of silence and solitude (see this blog post on what it is and this one on how to plan a four-hour retreat)
2. Go through Don Whitney's Ten questions to ask yourself at the start of a new year (you could include this in a personal retreat if you want or do it on its own).
3. Read a good Christian book to encourage your walk with God (a Christian biography, a book about God's character, etc.).
4. Read a good Christian book to help you grow in your ability to minister to others (a book on how to disciple others, a biblical counseling topic, or an apologetic issue).
5. Make a list of 25 things you are thankful to God for from the past year (pray to thank God for them while you write them down). 
6. Think of one new habit you want to begin in the new year. Write it out and the practical steps you will take to make progress. 
7. Think of one area of godly character that you want to make progress in (maybe look over the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 or the elder qualifications in Titus 1 to get some ideas). Next, write out what you need to "put off" and the biblical replacement you need to "put on." Then, come up with a verse or two to memorize on that issue. 

However you do it, spend some time reflecting on the past and looking to the future. Do it all with a heart aimed at thanking God and depending on him.

Praying for the Challenge to Roe (Tomorrow's Court Case)

Tomorrow (December 1, 2021), the Supreme Court is set to hear Dobbs vs. Jackson Health. This is a case that directly challenges Roe v. Wade and could overturn the law that a previous Supreme Court manufactured. Here are two things you can do.

Make time to pray (If you don't have time, maybe you can fast to make more time).

Pray for Lynn Fitch, the Mississippi attorney general who is arguing that there is no right in the constitution to end the life of an unborn baby. 

• "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy" Proverbs 31:8-9 
• A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.Prov 14:25 
• Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.Prov 12:17 

Pray that the opposing counsel would have their lies revealed and their desire for blood overcome

•  Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made.Psalm 7:14-16
•  For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.Psalm 5:4-6
•  Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,Is. 5:20

Pray that the Justices will seek to do what is just (preserve innocent life)

• He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.Psalm 37:6 
• Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path,10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, 12 delivering you from the way of evil,  from men of perverted speech, 13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,14 who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, 15 men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.Proverbs 2:9-15 

I encourage you to be ready to make the case for life 

People might be talking about the issue, and you should be ready to open your mouth for the voiceless and defenseless.  Here are some resources

• A Letter to the Tallahassee City Commission Regarding Their Resolution Supporting Abortion
• Resources to Help You Speak for the Unborn

Thinking about Things That are Above

 I preached this past Sunday on "Living in Light of the Resurrection — Setting Our Minds on Things Above." Since Jesus has been raised from the dead, heaven is not a wishful thought to help ease our pains. Rather, it is a reality to be cherished (which means we must think about it). 

Below are a couple of resources you might find helpful in cultivating a mind that is set on things above (They helped me in preparing).

• Jonathan Edwards Sermon "Heaven is World of Love"
• Jonathan Edwards Sermon "THE CHRISTIAN PILGRIM; OR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE A JOURNEY TOWARDS HEAVEN" (you have to use the arrow keys to buttons to each page of the sermon)  Here is a shorter synopsis of some of its main points
• Gavin Ortlund "The Eternal Shore Five Things We Forget About Heaven" (this is where I got the swimmer illustration)
• One more that I didn't reference but have found helpful in the past is Richard Baxter's book The Saint's Everlasting Rest