Saturday, January 3, 2009

Contentment

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"
so that we confidently say,


"THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

Hebrews 13:5-6

I heard this verse about a week before Christmas in a sermon. I marked it in my bible and began reading it over and over at home, before going to sleep at night or during the day, just to be reminded of its' truth. For some reason, I had never connected the different thoughts expressed in these verses together.

If I am not to love money, which I didn't think I did, however, I carried an awful lot of concern around in my heart for something I didn't love. What is money, after all? It is various pieces of paper, with numbers and designs on them. It is round pieces of metal, minerals imprinted with numbers and designs. Placing this fact in front of me, looking at it as simply a thing, gives me a healthier perspective. It can just be numbers on a page. It doesn't give value to me, or to my life.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.


Colossians 3:2-4

Living my life in gratitude daily for what I have been given, learning contentment, has been one of the most rewarding journeys I have taken. To connect the words of Christ with this, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you", gives me a reason for being content. It's not based on denial of the facts of my situation, but based on something much greater.

What a gift, to read the words, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can (mere) man do to me?" We all face many different struggles and worries, but the same truth can calm each of our hearts.

I awoke in the night many times during the week of Christmas, and I leaned heavily on these verses, letting them dwell in my heart and mind. This past week, the concerns I had then are no longer. The things I was worrying about never came to pass. The arrival of two different checks, two days earlier than expected, and of course God's grace, has carried me through to a place today of no worries! Maybe I should whisper those words, but I woke up this morning with the realization that there is nothing hanging over me, no darkness threatening to cast a shadow over my day. I was so surprised by this that I started searching my memory for anything that I might have forgotten about!

I'm writing this because I felt I needed to share the GOODNESS OF GOD and HIS FAITHFULNESS in my life. Whether it's impossible financial situations we are facing or health concerns for loved ones, or impossible people in our lives, the Lord's words ring true and will sustain us through this new year, 2009.

God bless you richly!

10 comments:

  1. Amen! What wondeful thoughts to begin the New Year with! Thanks for sharing what the Lord has been laying on your heart. It's a lesson we all can use... all our hope is found in Him alone. If we can realize that, everything else will become so much less significant... as it should be! Thanks for helping me to refocus today!

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  2. Matthew 6:25-34
    "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
    "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

    How difficullt is it to just "rest" in this and trust and believe...
    Contentment,I can't think of a nicer thing to be!

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  3. Amen again..what great thoughts they are Karen.

    Praying for a peace filled 2009 for you!

    Annie

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  4. words to live by...it is so easy to get caught up in material pursuits, but God really does provide the things we really NEED if our eyes are open to seeing them...lovely reminder and a wonderful message to focus on these days ~

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  5. A great way to start the year off. This is something I constantly have to pray about, there always sems to be something I want but don't really need. Thanks.

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  6. Karen,

    this was such a wonderful and thoughtful post. I am learning so much more about trusting in God's sovereignty.

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  7. So many times I have had that same burden, and like you I had to trust the Lord with carrying me and my family. I always imagine myself being held in the palm of His hand. And it comforts me greatly.
    I loved your post...
    And you captured the essense of what I was trying to convey with my art today! Thank you..
    It feels so good when somebody gets me.
    Sending you love, Nita

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  8. Karen, so true. Simply put: give up - up to God that is. Take a deep breath and believe.

    Lovely post! Thank you so much for posting about my Chickadee Give-Away on your blog. Hope to see you visiting often.

    Your photography is AWESOME! Do you sell it in galleries locally? Or on cards?

    Diane

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  9. Beautiful verses! I admit that I feel lately that God has foresaken me. Thank you for the reminder that my feelings are not true.

    Thank you for entering my anniversary giveaway and putting a link on your sidebar! I've got you entered twice and good luck!

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  10. Such an inspiring post! Contentment is truly a wonderful goal and with God we can achieve it. Let not our hearts be troubled. Blessings to you!

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