“Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, YET I will exult in the LORD, I WILL exult in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.”
- Habakkuk 3:17-19
While attending a recent Ladies gathering, this statement was made on contentment: Circumstances are not what makes us discontent – it results from how we respond to these circumstances. It is all about our attitude! Rather than listening to our fears, we need to renew our minds in the truth (Romans 12:2). Preach the truth to ourselves rather than always listening to ourselves (Psalms 42:5)! As Habbakuk challenges me this morning, even if all my circumstances are failing, yet I will turn my thoughts towards the glorious salvation that Christ Jesus has provided for me. I have much to rejoice in! Habbakuk had to purposefully renew his mind, turn it from dwelling on his circumstances and all the lacks thereof and focus on GOD!
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!”
As Matthew Elliot says in his book Feel: The Power of Listening to Your Heart, “I believe what God has in mind and what the Bible really says, is that joy is a real emotion. God commands us to feel happy, feel joy, feel good…I think one of the keys to experiencing this [Joy as a real emotion] is keeping focused on God as our source of joy. Our circumstances change from day to day, life sometimes is difficult, events can even be tragic, but when we focus on God himself and His love for us, it brings real joy-regardless of circumstances. We can become so worried about the events of today and tomorrow and focus so closely on circumstances that we miss the smile on God’s face and forget His remarkable salvation and provision.”
Contentment flows from our attitude! This is a main key to living simply…it starts with the heart attitude. Rejoicing in the Lord will bring true and lasting contentment! Let us renew our minds together today!
Thank you for sharing this truth today; it’s timely!
My current attitude is much brighter than the perspective I owned upon rising this morning – Praise God!
The moment I choose to put energy and focus on the needs of others, my own feelings of lack and injustices down to me began to diminish – truly, and really vaporize. His love is true and steadfast. We are deeply nourished when keeping our focus upon Him.
Thanks so much for your writing. You keep me mindful of the real benefits of prosperity – Sharing with others.
Jean
How ever did you hear about Matthew Elliot’s book? My family is good friends with him
It’s important to find joy in the journey.
Also, when things are hard, it helps to stop at the end of the day and write down all of the things for which you are thankful. God gives us so much. Sometimes we forget that He has given us everything that we have. My 3-year-old helps me to remember that when he prays, because he is thankful that we have couches to sit on, and plates to eat off of, and a kitchen table, and rugs on the floors. I find that the more grateful I am, and the more that I acknowledge all that the Lord has done for me, the happier I am.
We have had some really trying times in the last few years, but during that time I have found happiness every day. I have learned new skills because of the difficuties that we have faced, and I have improved others.
I started a website to share what I have learned during this time, because I felt God would have me help others see the blessings in living on less.
He continues to bless us everyday.
That message was great to hear this morning! My family is under a lot of stress and change right now, but as long as my hope is in the Lord I am content because I know he will take care of us.
hmmmmmmmm, interesting that the 3 of us posted about contentment today. The Lord is certainly underscoring it for me as the day progresses. That verse from Habakkuk is what got me through the US elections!
Real contentment and simplicity cannot be separated from the Lord. Hope your day continues with a heart full of contentment!
I posted about this article today on my blog. Thank you for all you do.
http://mommystayshome.blogspot.com/2008/11/great-article-on-being-content-despite.html