Being Content with Yourself...revisited

A little over a year ago I wrote a post on the subject of being content with yourself. That post is here if you care to take a look. I really didn't think much about it at the time. When I write these posts, it is more of a dictation than a writing. I put no great forethought into them. I write as the Lord lays things on my heart. That is why I call this blog: "From the Heart." I have four main reasons I do this. One: I want to see people saved from their sins by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Two: I want to encourage those who struggle with these issues in life. Three: It helps me to build my own faith. Four: The Lord told me to do this.

At first, I promoted this blog pretty heavily. I wanted people to see it. I don't do that anymore. I believe the Lord will lead the one here who needs to see what is posted. I see things here via a stat meter. It doesn't give personal information but I can see if someone used a search engine to get here. I can see what they typed into the search engine. I have noticed the post on contentment is a major concern to many people. It is enough of a concern they search for it. It is enough of a concern that I wanted to clarify and elaborate on something I mentioned in that post.

because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8) NASB

I break from my tradition here and use the New American Standard Version for these verses. I find it to be clear and to the point. We are born with a built in nature of sin in our lives. This is the reason Jesus was crucified. He wanted us to have peace with a holy God. We couldn't do this ourselves. We as unbelievers were an enemy of God in our hearts. We are loved by God even though we were an enemy to Him. It is God and not us who made this sacrifice as an extreme gesture of grace and mercy towards us. He died so we might be free. Free from sin, worry and fear. The cross of Christ does and will always represent freedom in the truest sense of the word. In my post on contentment, I made the following statement:

"If you read this, and feel that you are not content with your present situation or state of being, talk with God about this. This is where you can learn, like Paul, to be content. He has a plan that He has made just for you! I will give you a hint: It involves receiving Christ as Savior. He only asks that you follow the plan His way. Your life may be turned upside down but He will give you peace."

While I implied the subject of surrender, I did not state it. Today I want to tell you honestly that true peace and contentment will only come for you when you receive Christ as Savior. If you wanted a different way...there is none. The road to Heaven is long and narrow and only through the blood of Christ by way of the cross. The person who is still a sinner will have to surrender and accept Christ. For the Christian, the key is to surrender. Surrender everything you have and everything you are to Christ. You asked Jesus to be Lord...let Him be Lord. He wants to take the worry, fear, loneliness from you. He wants to take the impure thoughts, addictions and inhibitions from you. All you have to do is ask Him to take them. You do have to be willing to let go of the control you have and give it to Him. Some things happen quickly and other things take time but if you persist in this...He will take them. You will be left with peace and contentment which is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) It is a good thing to have and you will wonder why you waited and held on so long to the things that held you back. It truly breaks my heart to see the searchers who come to this page looking for contentment. While I am glad they do I wish I could do more. While I know I am limited in what I have to offer, I know God is not. My honest and sincere prayer for you is that you would let Jesus take all of this baggage from your heart. Only He can. Only He will. Give your heart to God for Christ's sake. Christ gave all of Himself for your sake.

Father, my heart truly goes out to those just simply looking for peace in their lives. Lord I know you want to do this for them. So many of your people I have seen joyful in very difficult situations. You make the heart peaceful. Draw those who read this to yourself and show them your ways so they may obtain peace and contentment. I have loved you a long time and I have yet to see someone you did not reach out to with love and compassion. I ask you to now touch that one who is hurting and give them peace. Bless all who read and make them a beacon unto yourself. May they be a shining light on a hilltop so your name will be praised and glorified. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Being content with yourself

I spoke to someone earlier this week and they said I seemed happy. I told them I wasn't so much happy as I was contented. What does it mean to be content? According to Dictionary.com, it means to be "satisfied."To have "ease of mind." There seems to be a shortage of that in people these days. Now I do know many people who are truly content with their lives. There seems to be many people who are not. To me, this is sad. It can be had for no cost, yet it is its own best reward. You cannot put a price on something like this. Its value far exceeds any wealth we can assign to it. Contentment is valuable in the sense that it puts you at peace with yourself. If you can truly look at your life and wouldn't change a thing, you are probably content with your life. It has more to do with wellness of spirit than with present circumstances. I am going to give a passage of scripture today that talks about this.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
(Philippians 4:11-13) KJV

I give you three verses here because I want to keep this in the context in which it was written. He was talking about being content with his life regardless of circumstances. This is an awesome scripture! Especially when you think about the fact that it was written from prison. You want to talk about being content with your life? Paul was yielded to the will of God. He was an obedient servant of Christ. He also knew that many hardships would befall him as a result of the call God placed on his life. We all have moments when things don't go as we would like when it comes to careers, finances or even matters of love. I also know people who are great with money but have trouble with relationships in their life. I also know those without much money to their name that have wonderful relationships. With the help of God, all types of people can find the peace and contentment they long for. God made a way, through Jesus, whereby we can all be at peace. Not only peace, but also have contentment and joy as well. It isn't about what you have or don't have. It is about the state of your soul and spirit. You notice I haven't mentioned happiness. That is because happiness by its definition relies on circumstances. Joy, peace and contentment do not. If you read this, and feel that you are not content with your present situation or state of being, talk with God about this. This is where you can learn, like Paul, to be content. He has a plan that He has made just for you! I will give you a hint: It involves receiving Christ as Savior. He only asks that you follow the plan His way. Your life may be turned upside down but He will give you peace.

Father, I pray for all who read this today. I ask that you would help them search their hearts today to see if they are truly at peace with you. If they are, I give you the praise and glory for this. If they aren't, I ask for a special blessing for these, Lord. I ask that you would lead them to your truth through the cross. I give you praise and thanksgiving for each soul who reads today. Be with them in a mighty way this day. May the peace that passes understanding find a home in their hearts. I pray this in the name of Christ Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

P.S. An updated post on how to implement contentment in your own life can be found here.