By Amber | Leave A Comment
This isn’t the life I wanted…
I’m not where I want to be…
I’m not doing what I want to be doing…
Ever have thoughts like these?
A year ago, I found myself giving in to these kinds of thoughts. Once you begin, it’s all too easy to give your mind over to this kind of dissatisfied thinking.
Photo by Flickr Greg Westfall
It’s like quicksand. For the soul.
I wish I had a marriage like that…
We shouldn’t have to live in a dump like this…
If only we had more money…
The bottom line is that you always thought God had something better than”this” for you, and you’re finding it very hard to be “content in all things.”
It’s hard to stomach, but it is pride that leads us to discontentment. It’s pride that thinks we need a better home or a better husband or a better car. It’s pride that thinks we deserve anything more than what God has already blessed us with. It’s pride that thinks “God owes me.”
Pride plants the seed, selfishness waters it, envy shines on it – and next thing you know you’ve got a whole forest of unhappy thoughts breeding in your heart.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23
Remember first that God has you exactly where he wants you, trust that His will for you is good, cling to the promise that God is working everything together for your good (for your sanctification), and count your blessings!
It’s easy to get caught up in our own agenda, our own motivations – even good things like worship, bible study and prayer time. We must remember that our main goal is God’s glory! Everything we do, we need to do for God’s glory. That’s our main goal – not a clean or bigger house, not the perfect husband or children, not lots of money or even happiness. Focusing on these temporary blessings will only lead to frustration – not because they are unattainable or wrong, but because we’re pursuing the wrong goal. Keep your eyes fixed on the author and perfector of your faith – seek to honor and glorify him and you will be able to find peace and joy with wherever you are in life.
Wherever you are – it’s right where God wants you.
Also, pray! Pray often. Seek God’s guidance through the hard times. This is a spiritual battle we are fighting, and we cannot do it on our own. If this resonates with you, would you join me?
God, I don’t know why you have me in this place, but I am going to trust that you have a reason, and that I will be more like Christ and closer to you for having gone through this. God, help me deal with the hard days when I don’t feel like I will make it. Help me to remember that I am not alone, and that you are here beside me. Change my heart God. Do not allow discontent to breed in it. Cultivate a contentment that truly depends on you and you alone, and that is not conditional upon my circumstances. Fill my heart with joy that comes from knowing you. I praise you, for you are good, ALWAYS. Amen.
Photo credit: Strollerderby
Originally published on 9/22/08.
ABOUT Amber
Amber balances her quest for biblical womanhood, her "old-fashioned" ideals and high-tech housewifer{read more}
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Oh, thank you so much for that post. I needed that.
I especially love this: “Pride plants the seed, selfishness waters it, envy shines on it…” that is genius! Not to mention so TRUE!
Excellent post, Amber. I know that pride plays a big role in being discontent. I think mine hasn’t been as much pride as just an unsettledness with life. Maybe that’s normal when you try to buy a house all year and think you’ll be closing every single week for the past month and a half. And your house is half packed and in limbo. Along with much of the rest of life. But your post is still encouraging. Even in this, God knew we’d be here. It’s what He has ordained for our lives. Right here, right now, in limbo.
Great post today, Amber – this kind of thing has been very much on my mind lately. It’s easy to get caught up comparing what you have with what everyone else has, or to think your situation in life doesn’t measure up to where you “should” be. In truth, God really DOES have us in the place where we should be – our dissatisfaction is merely a sign that there’s something more that God wants us to do!
Phenomenal! This was exactly what I needed today. This was particularly relevant: “Focusing on these temporary blessings will only lead to frustration – not because they are unattainable or wrong, but because we’re pursuing the wrong goal.”
Whew, good stuff. Thank you so much for the reminder.
Amber, this was wonderful. This line: “Wherever you are, it’s right where God wants you”. That’s become so much more clear to me recently, and I think it’s so important to remember that in our daily struggles. Thank you so much for this reminder.
Perfect. Thank you so much! I needed to read this today.
Great reminder.
Such a great pot! As I was thinking about New Year’s Resolutions, I felt God clearly interrupt me and say, “Your only resolution needs to be to glorify ME this year, and stay grafted into the vine of my Word.” It was very eye-opening.