Contentment

"Content" has been placed on my heart heavily the last couple of weeks.  Mostly because I have found myself cycling into a very negative mind space, where I am very unhappy, unable to be satisfied, I'm selfish, petty, snappy, and impatient.

At the root of this emotional upheaval? Being in-content with my life.

I've gotten too caught up with "That's not fair," and "They owe me," and "I shouldn't have to."  I've gotten too caught up in the complaining, the gossiping, stirring the pot, and wallowing in my own unhappiness.... To which God says:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. -1 Timothy 6:6-10

I've cycled into unhealthy habits with food and soda.

“Why do you [a]spend money for what is not bread,And your wages for what does not satisfy?Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,And delight yourself in abundance.-Isaiah 55:2

I should be eating what is good! Not what is poison, addiction, emotion, uncontrolled, and empty.


I've cycled into worse body image issues, self confidence issues, and increased insecurities, leading me into that vicious mental cycle I've blogged about before... To which God says:

1 

Praise the Lord, my soul;    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2 Praise the Lord, my soul,    and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins    and heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from the pit    and crowns you with love and compassion,5 who satisfies your desires with good things    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.- Psalms 103:1-5

All because I can't find joy and happiness in what I have and in who I am, I am being blocked from this love and peace that God is offering me.  I am letting this world stand in my way.  I am letting myself stand in my way.

I must remember this from Hebrews 13:5-6:

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you;    never will I forsake you.”[a]6 So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.    What can mere mortals do to me?"