I have found in my life that it is far easier for a seed of discontent to be planted, watered and grown (I may not have a green thumb with plants, but I have a fully developed one in this area!), …than it is to be content with my lot, content in my life…trusting in Him in spite of the circumstances I might not care for. I find I have to work much harder to keep that seed of discontent out of my life. It tends to slip in through any crack I might leave unattended.
Quite honestly, I am preparing for my son to graduate from high school and begin his next exciting stage in life. Even though we ultimately raise our children to hopefully go out to be independent and fully functioning adults, I did not expect my circumstances to be remotely close to what they are as I prepare for the empty nest stage. It leaves me with a huge sense of panic I have a hard time dealing with, far too often. These circumstances lead me at times towards a major amount of discontent, when I let down my guard. The bottom line…this is where I am at. It is irrelevant whether the whole scenario fits my dreams and hopes when growing up. I don’t need to dwell on what is different than what I had hoped for . However, at times I admit I jump into that pit, fully immerse myself in it, roll around, do the back stroke and make sure it seeps into every crack…I play all of the what if’s and what might have been. The wallowing just makes me more miserable, and when I surface from it, the reality hasn’t changed. The sovereignty of my Heavenly Father hasn’t changed either. I have to make a choice. Dwell on what is not, or seek Him to find out how He wants me to live in the midst of what is. HIS purpose in it all, not mine!
I’m sure some aspect of this coming life change will be a frequent blog topic in the coming months.:) That ‘moment’ down the road when he goes on to his next stage in life seems far too big and painful for me to face and handle. However, the key is I don’t need to be able to handle it today. He will give me the grace I need at the time I need it…just like He’s done for me in the past. I have to choose to trust in that. I have to choose to know He also has a purpose for my life…to trust in His promises and His faithfulness He has shown me time and time again. My eyes MUST be on Him, not on me and my situation…any difficult situation that is being faced…or I can’t thrive. I especially can’t seek to actively live in the freedom of his love for me, trusting in Him. If I allow myself to get caught in the trap of looking around, comparing, grieving, I will miss out on so much.. Instead, I must press on to the goal He has set before me. THAT is what really matters in it all… that my focus is on Him and that I keep myself under His authority and seek to honor and glorify Him in the midst of whatever crosses my path. Sounds great, but living it can be oh so much harder, at least it is for me…far too often. Eyes on Him, not on me or those around me…or my battle for contentment is futile.
Truths from His Word:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13
II Corinthians 12:10: For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Yikes!! These verses may not always be easy to live out, but oh they are so worth it. To be content WITH weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions AND calamities! I could spend the rest of my life just focusing on trying to live out these verses! I want to radiate joy for Him, in the midst of these challenges! Now that I have written this out, and shared it with you..you can hold me to it!
We need to encourage and uplift each other, to help each other walk successfully down the unique path the Lord has carved out for each of us. To rejoice in His unique plans for our lives. Let’s not worry if our paths always look the same, as long as we’re walking in obedience to the truths in His Word. Hopefully we can do that for each other.I know I need all the help I can get! Please always feel free to share any prayer requests…on here or to email me directly. This journey is hard enough at times. It is easy to get caught up in things that can distract or cause dissension between believers. Instead, we can walk along side each other shining for Him. If we’re children of the King, we can be united in that.
A long time ago I read a special story about the individual path we are each called to walk. We can stray off of that path, getting lost along the way. Or, we can walk confidently with Him on that path. When we stay on it, we run across special treasures that He has in store for us. When we get off the path, we might miss out on a special gift He has just for us. I couldn’t find a copy of this story, but if anyone has it, I would love it if you could leave it, or a link to it, in the comment section for this blog entry.
The verses below help to sustain me, to give me hope, not in my circumstances, but in the Lord! I pray they do so for you as well. May we all fight together to rid ourselves of discontent, to instead find joy and contentment in our daily walks! How humbling that He loves His children enough to carve out a unique path for each of us so we can use that path to glorify and honor Him..May we learn to choose to be content in where the Lord has called us to walk. May we trust that He will provide the needed grace each and every day.
2 Corinthians 9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
I Timothy 6:6: But godliness with contentment is great gain
Jill's Joyful Noise 