Why, as women, are we always drawn into discontentment? Always desiring the bigger home, newer car, the nicer clothes?
I believe it's something of an 'Eve-syndrome', having the entire lovely lush garden at her disposal and she still could not say no to the forbidden fruit.
Contentment is vitally important to the Christian woman in so many ways. She is not out destroying the budget, she lives simply minding her own business, she is at peace because she is happy with what she has and not stirring up strife with her husband to get him to purchase things they cannot afford.
Contentment makes for a happy heart and home. Contentment can be seen in the eyes of the soul of a woman. It is so sad to see on the faces of woman the dissatisfied and restless look of discontentment. It is the joyous woman who is contented where the Lord has placed her as a mother raising children and delighted with the husband he appointed for her . If we are not careful the world can easily deceive us into thinking that we are not content. The world bombards us with ads, tv shows, magazines, ideas and agendas about why we need more and how we need to put ourselves first. If that is not a lie from the pit of hell, I don't know what is. But will we be so naive as to believe it?
Discontentment comes in so many areas we must be wise to it's sly, subtle attacks. You might be at a friends house and admire it and go home utterly discontented. You might be overwhelmed with your children and always think 'I need to get out of here.' You look into your closet and see nothing to wear. You look at your church and wish that the people were different. You look into your purse and wish you had more money. You look at your husband and wish he were different....when will the madness end?
It ends here.
We will no longer entertain silly and foolish thoughts that hinder us and those we love. Instead, we choose to be sober-minded women who take up our cross and lay down our lives (and minds) for Christ for their is true beauty in that. We cannot influence the world for God's glory if we are caught up in the ugliness of covetousness and discontentment. So we throw off that hinders and we trust in God and His provision over our lives and we train ourselves for godliness and contentment.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
5 comments:
This has been a struggle of mine, but probably because I feel like I'm walking a fine line here. I am definitely discontented.
No one, on the outside, would know it. My own husband can't see it. I don't pout or mope about. I seem happy (to others), and I do appreciate all I have. When I finally reach the point of desperation, so that I blurt something out to him (or start crying), it seems to him like it's out of the blue.
Those things I desire, that make me feel discontent are things I believe I should have, but don't, simply because my husband chooses not to allow it. I believe these are things God wants for me, but my husband, having set himself against God, is denying me them.
They are... Two girls (I have two boys now), a home near my family (they are halfway across the country), and my husband's salvation. Without these things, I feel an aching loss, as though I had daughters and they died, as though my family had died, as though my husband had died. Am I wrong, then, to be discontented? I'm just not sure. Is contentment most important, above all else?
Dear Mrs. H,
I sympathize with you as I think all women can relate to desiring something in their lives and yet not having it fulfilled. I do encourage you to trust in the Lord's provision in your life, for surely He knows best in all situations. I do believe that prayer is a powerful thing and that we should be in daily prayer lifting up petitions to him on such matters. I would advise you not to feel that you have an aching loss and that your 'daughters have died, family had died and husband had died' but instead to rejoice in the family that the Lord has been kind in giving you and to see the blessings right where you are today. God is good and He makes no mistakes. I would ask myself 'what is He trying to teach me through all this?' Also the verse 'the Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want' comes to mind. It is important that we rely on scripture and not on feelings as that can tempt us to think and live sinfully. We must 'train ourselves for the purpose of godliness', this means to think godly thoughts and trust on the word of God. I hope this helps and I will be praying for you!
Thank you...
Since I posted those paragraphs, God has shown me what He is waiting for. My husband, the other day, seemed to assume I was thinking something, and (without a word from me - God said not to say a word in my own defense) began an argument with himself. In the end, he had explained his fears and misgivings to me.
My husband, being unsaved, feels he is alone in this world, with no support or provision from anyone. He cannot trust God to provide, because he doesn't know Him. So, once my husband is saved, he will eventually come to know Him and His faithfulness to him.
Whatever God's reason for waiting to call him, I have no idea, but I am praying that He will reveal it, and help me to help Him or get out of His way.
Till then, I will work on being content with what I *do* have, resting in the reassurance of God's promises and looking for the lesson He is trying to teach me.
Thank you again.
Emily :)
Thanks for sharing this again! I remember reading it the first time and I'm still learning to be content in all areas. It's easy for me not to want the newest car b/c I just don't care about stuff like that. But other areas...well I find I'm usually content until I look around at what "others" have. That's why we must look the to the Lord--who provides all things good!
Thank you for sharing. I am a new follower to your blog. I read your latest post & this one was also "suggested" to me.
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