Contentment
1 Timothy 6:6
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. ( NIV)
Here are four steps to develop contentment in your life.
1. Stop comparing yourself to others
-When you compare your life with someone else’s, the only place it can lead to is discontentment. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don’t know their real circumstances.
2. Be grateful for who you are and what you have
-Learning to be content requires that you stop any “when and then” thinking –
“When I am ___________, then I’ll be happy.” (You fill in the blank.)
Look at all the things God has given you. So often we allow what we don’t have to so dominate our focus that we forget the many wonderful things we already have, not only material blessing, but far more important things, such as family and friends.
3. Give yourself to others
-If you will begin giving yourself to others, sharing what things you do have, sharing your time and your talents, you will find yourself learning to be content. Helping others will give you an appreciation for what you have and who you are, but more importantly, you will find yourself growing content. Why? Because God designed us to serve and share with others, and until we do that, we will feel great discontent.
4. Focus on things with eternal value
-Think about the things in your life: What will last forever? What will last at least for your lifetime? What will last a few short years, or months, or days? Based on eternal value, what things are most important in your life? Where – and with whom – should you put your most time and energy?
1 Timothy 6:6
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. ( NIV)
Here are four steps to develop contentment in your life.
1. Stop comparing yourself to others
-When you compare your life with someone else’s, the only place it can lead to is discontentment. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don’t know their real circumstances.
2. Be grateful for who you are and what you have
-Learning to be content requires that you stop any “when and then” thinking –
“When I am ___________, then I’ll be happy.” (You fill in the blank.)
Look at all the things God has given you. So often we allow what we don’t have to so dominate our focus that we forget the many wonderful things we already have, not only material blessing, but far more important things, such as family and friends.
3. Give yourself to others
-If you will begin giving yourself to others, sharing what things you do have, sharing your time and your talents, you will find yourself learning to be content. Helping others will give you an appreciation for what you have and who you are, but more importantly, you will find yourself growing content. Why? Because God designed us to serve and share with others, and until we do that, we will feel great discontent.
4. Focus on things with eternal value
-Think about the things in your life: What will last forever? What will last at least for your lifetime? What will last a few short years, or months, or days? Based on eternal value, what things are most important in your life? Where – and with whom – should you put your most time and energy?
