Thankfulness and contentment are choices that we have to make. Circumstances will invade our lives but we don’t have to let them control our lives. Let’s take our stand today and choose to be thankful and content.
Thankfulness and Contentment Scriptures
Philippians 4:11-13 – “for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:6-7 – “6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Examples
I can remember teaching a season of Sunday school classes where it seemed every message boiled down to one point “You and I choose”. It didn’t matter which Bible verses were used or what the primary topic was – they all ended with choice. The truth is we make choices all of the time, some of them are so automatic that we don’t put any thought into them, others require sacrifice so we do put a lot of thought into them. And, then there are the “not to decide” choices – which like it or not are choices. No matter how we do, or don’t choose, they all led us to where we are today in our lives.
Life is full of choices and we need to decide how we will make them. Click To Tweet
I found myself in need of a diet and exercise plan because I made the choices (or lack of discipline choices) on a daily basis to eat more and exercise less until I had gained 40 pounds that I did not need. One day I looked at myself, and I made a decision – “I chose – to stop what I am doing because I will not weigh less or develop strong muscle if I continued on like I am.” Starting with prayer and the right tools I was able to lose the weight. I had to make many CHOICES along the way. I relied heavily on God, to help me make the right choices daily (Phil 4:13). And together, we took each step and lost the weight and developed some muscle.
Let’s Make Right Choices
Contentment and peace are also developed by making the right choices and by asking God to work out the good that only He can (Romans 8:28) when we make the wrong choices or the ‘forget to decide’ choices. In plain words, it takes PROCESS — time, effort and a new attitude.
We have lots of choices to make. Two choices I have made are to be content and thankful in every situation [this does not mean every situation will be easy to do this, or that I am going to live in “la la land”, some will require a process of working through the immediate concerns but I know God will help me]. I want to enjoy the rest of my life. God has blessed me greatly and I need to recognize and truly appreciate that.
Abba, I pray that You will bless each one of us with a deeper desire to know You better, that we will hunger for more of the contentment, peace and thankfulness that You can give us. Abba, bless each reader with a special word from You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What choices will you make today to exercise thankfulness and contentment?
