"Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit."
Ecclesiastes 6:9
Ecclesiastes 6:9
I Won't Let What I Want Rob Me Of What I Have
Contentment and gratitude aren’t identical, but they sure are family.
Contentment lives somewhere near the beginning of the path toward a more
grateful perspective.
For instance, it’s difficult to have gratitude for something you’ve received when you’re at the same time wanting more of that very thing. Think of a toddler who says thank you for sweets because they’ve discovered that’s how to get more. Are they glad to have the sweets? Yes. But, are they content with what they’ve already received? Probably not. A grateful perspective realizes God gave us the good we have, responds with praise, and then believes His good is enough. Yet, we often come to God with a toddler-like, “Thank you. More, please.”
How do we keep discontentment from robbing us of the realization of God’s all-sufficient provision? We practice saying, “Thank You, God. You’re enough.” When we do, we’ll find gratitude turns what we have into enough.
A friend wrote that on facebook today and I thought how perfect, I truly needed to hear that one today.
I've been struggling with not just being content but being grateful for what I have. There is one thing I want more than ever right now but it's just not the right time. Both my husband and myself agree it's not the right time. We have a priority list, things we want to achieve before others. Buying a house is number one on our list. I would love to be in a place of my own but because of medical bills, job changes, and me finishing school we haven't been able to accomplish that dream. We're getting close but it still remain our number one of 2016.
Because of that I can't have what I really want. I'm not going to post what it is because it's an intimate part of Eric and my relationship. He knows what I want, I know what he wants and we're good with keeping everything between us for now.
It's especially stressful when those who do have what I want flaunt it in my face. Maybe they don't mean to and maybe they know exactly what they are doing, trying to keep me below them, hold themselves on a pedestal and don't want me on the same level as them. I don't know but it hurts and then I feel pressured to get what I want and do it now! But as a wise friend told me, "Don't people please at the sake of your own happiness." Even though what I want will make me happy, it wont make the timing right and therefore make me unhappy that I didn't wait like we had planned. It's all so confusing I know. I've been praying now for a while about this issue and I am so thankful I have tons of Godly Women surrounding me and praying for me too.
This week I am focusing on not only being content with current situations but grateful for what I have. Not everyone chooses the same path in life, not everyone gets to the same spot at the same time. I need to learn that this is the life God has for me and what He has is GOOD and Perfect for me. I am complete in HIM and Him alone.
Because of the life situations I've been through and I'm only 26 (can't imagine what others I have coming) I've learned to be much more patient with people. More friendly and watch what I say and how I ask certain things. You NEVER know what someone is going through and I guarantee they are going through something. Each one of us carries a heavy burden we don't always share with other people. Because I know this, I'm quick to say a nice word or compliment - I want to be that encouragement they need for the day. I want to be a person they can go to in time of need, or be the ear to hear. It breaks my heart when I see people treat others like they are below them. It makes me angry that they can't be happy for someone when something good happens in that other person's life. It's always about them. Look what I have, look what I did, look what I made, but never congratulations I'm proud / happy for you. It's these people I'm trying to weed out of my life. You can't be a positive person when you're surrounded by negativity, but at the same time I hate being that person that says "I'm done with you and our friendship."
When is enough enough? How long do you take blow after blow by supposed friends? How long do you trust that there is hope to renew the friendship, that they have changed? How do you trust someone again who has hurt you time and time again?
I don't know. By the Grace of God I suppose.
For instance, it’s difficult to have gratitude for something you’ve received when you’re at the same time wanting more of that very thing. Think of a toddler who says thank you for sweets because they’ve discovered that’s how to get more. Are they glad to have the sweets? Yes. But, are they content with what they’ve already received? Probably not. A grateful perspective realizes God gave us the good we have, responds with praise, and then believes His good is enough. Yet, we often come to God with a toddler-like, “Thank you. More, please.”
How do we keep discontentment from robbing us of the realization of God’s all-sufficient provision? We practice saying, “Thank You, God. You’re enough.” When we do, we’ll find gratitude turns what we have into enough.
A friend wrote that on facebook today and I thought how perfect, I truly needed to hear that one today.
I've been struggling with not just being content but being grateful for what I have. There is one thing I want more than ever right now but it's just not the right time. Both my husband and myself agree it's not the right time. We have a priority list, things we want to achieve before others. Buying a house is number one on our list. I would love to be in a place of my own but because of medical bills, job changes, and me finishing school we haven't been able to accomplish that dream. We're getting close but it still remain our number one of 2016.
Because of that I can't have what I really want. I'm not going to post what it is because it's an intimate part of Eric and my relationship. He knows what I want, I know what he wants and we're good with keeping everything between us for now.
It's especially stressful when those who do have what I want flaunt it in my face. Maybe they don't mean to and maybe they know exactly what they are doing, trying to keep me below them, hold themselves on a pedestal and don't want me on the same level as them. I don't know but it hurts and then I feel pressured to get what I want and do it now! But as a wise friend told me, "Don't people please at the sake of your own happiness." Even though what I want will make me happy, it wont make the timing right and therefore make me unhappy that I didn't wait like we had planned. It's all so confusing I know. I've been praying now for a while about this issue and I am so thankful I have tons of Godly Women surrounding me and praying for me too.
This week I am focusing on not only being content with current situations but grateful for what I have. Not everyone chooses the same path in life, not everyone gets to the same spot at the same time. I need to learn that this is the life God has for me and what He has is GOOD and Perfect for me. I am complete in HIM and Him alone.
Because of the life situations I've been through and I'm only 26 (can't imagine what others I have coming) I've learned to be much more patient with people. More friendly and watch what I say and how I ask certain things. You NEVER know what someone is going through and I guarantee they are going through something. Each one of us carries a heavy burden we don't always share with other people. Because I know this, I'm quick to say a nice word or compliment - I want to be that encouragement they need for the day. I want to be a person they can go to in time of need, or be the ear to hear. It breaks my heart when I see people treat others like they are below them. It makes me angry that they can't be happy for someone when something good happens in that other person's life. It's always about them. Look what I have, look what I did, look what I made, but never congratulations I'm proud / happy for you. It's these people I'm trying to weed out of my life. You can't be a positive person when you're surrounded by negativity, but at the same time I hate being that person that says "I'm done with you and our friendship."
When is enough enough? How long do you take blow after blow by supposed friends? How long do you trust that there is hope to renew the friendship, that they have changed? How do you trust someone again who has hurt you time and time again?
I don't know. By the Grace of God I suppose.
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