Do You Want to Be Content?

by Sylvia Gaston

With greater access to other people’s lives through social media, it’s very easy to fall into the bad habit of playing the “comparison game”. Sadly, in this game, there are no winners.

If you have children, you’ve seen that they also compare themselves and what they have (or don’t have) with those around them. As a mom of high schoolers who are neck-deep in the observation of their peers’ lives, I realize how hard it can be to instill the value of contentment into your family’s life.

But, comparisons always leave us wanting more. And discontented is a horrible way to go through daily life. It can lead to depression, stress, and a general ugly attitude.

All of us have less than others. All of us have more than others. Do you tend to focus on what you don’t have rather than feel grateful and content for what you do have? When we become so focused on where our life falls short, we miss the wonderfulness of how great our life actually is.

Contentment is defined as a state of happiness and appreciation.

Contentment. You have to want it! You have to fight for it!

Developing a discipline of contentment is easier said than done – but it is possible. Just as we work out our bodies, we can learn to work out our minds. The battle begins there.

We can have great power over our lives if we learn to stay in control of our thoughts and actions.  There is a great book about this called, “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer.

Here are just 2 suggestions to begin your journey on the road to contentment:

 1. Trade in grumbling and complaining for thankfulness and appreciation:

 Let’s face it, some of us are just in the habit of, or even addicted to, whining and complaining. We automatically see the worst in people or situations instead of looking for the best. When you catch yourself doing so, immediately ask yourself, “What is the bright side of this situation (or person)?” Turn your focus there BEFORE you spiral down that negativity tunnel. You will feel better about the situation, about yourself, about life!

2. Focus on and appreciate what you have. The antidote to discontent is thankfulness:

When we focus on what we don’t have, we completely overlook our blessings. I sometimes ask myself how I can possibly complain when I have health, love, a place to live and good food and water. And, yet I do! Tsk, tsk.

I have invented a mental game called “Kodak moments”. I remind myself to look around and take a mental snapshot of what is right in front of me (“click”) – kids who are healthy and have goodness in them, a husband who loves me and works hard, a job where I am valued, and a God who loves me, unconditionally – even when I’m not being very lovable! “Click”, “click”, “click”!

Another thing you can commit to in 2017 is to make an ongoing list of things you are thankful for. This can jumpstart the optimism in your brain and squash some of that Negative Ned (or Nelly) thinking.

God tells us in the Bible that we are to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for  you…” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Pull out the Bible and find out what God has to say about how we are to live satisfied and fulfilling lives. Or visit a church near you. We were created to be content.

Thanks, But No Thanks

Pastor Tim Howard
November 21, 2009

Do you remember the movie entitled “Pollyanna” that was filmed by Disney Studios in 1960 and stared Hayley Mills? The title character is Pollyanna Whittier, a young orphan who goes to live with her wealthy but stern Aunt Polly in Beldingsville, Vermont. Pollyanna's philosophy of life centers on what she calls "The Glad Game," an optimistic attitude she learned from her father. She consistently finds something to be glad about in every situation regardless of how difficult things become. The game originated one Christmas when Pollyanna, was hoping to receive a doll for her present. When she opened her gift, however, she found only a pair of crutches inside. At that moment, Pollyanna's father taught her to look at the good side of things—in this case, to be glad about the crutches because "she didn’t need them." Her gratitude and thankful spirit influenced this small New England town and transformed it into a place of joy and thanksgiving.

A grumpy attitude or a grateful heart is a matter of choice. Do you want to influence people in a positive way? Does the atmosphere at your job need to be refreshed? Would you like to cheer people up rather than bring them down? Then choose to be grateful in this season of thanksgiving.

The Bible reveals that Paul the apostle went through many ups and downs in his life. He was beaten, shipwrecked, hungry, deserted, and even stoned to the point of death. If anyone had a right to complain he did! But listen to his words from 2 Corinthians, chapter 4:1-18. “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small in comparison to the big picture and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” NLB

To be grateful, you need a new focus, a reason to speak and a willingness to share. Therefore open your eyes and focus on what you have rather than on what you don’t. It will bring peace! Open you mouth and express thanks to God. It will create joy! Open your hands and share your blessings. It will show love!

Thanksgiving will put an end to jealousy, envy and covetousness. It will guard you from a spirit of entitlement and help you to stop taking things for granted. Giving thanks will cause a demanding spirit to leave and a grateful heart will help people see life with a new perspective.

Our country has set aside one day a year to remind us of the importance of thanksgiving. I personally think we should be thankful 365 days a year but THANK GOD we at least have one day still on the calendar as a reminder. I can’t speak for you but as for my family and me, we are going to choose thankfulness over complaining, gratitude over grumpiness and play the Glad Game rather than the Sad Game. If anyone comes to you this season and invites you to focus on the miserable-ness of things, why don’t you simply say: Thanks but no thanks!

Allow November 26 to establish a foundation and pattern for your future.