Posts Tagged ‘contentment’

No parent ever gets it all right. One of the things that our mother drilled into us that has been a tremendous help to me is that, “Everybody is good at something.” This was usually communicated when one child envied another child’s success.

Another lesson we learned was that there would always be people with more than us and there would always be people much less fortunate than us. The message was that we should be happy for what do have and not unhappy because of something we do not have. (The worst was when you thought a sibling got something you should have!).

As we went through the Christmas holidays this year we saw decorations and gifts and feasts that reminded me how easy it is, especially for children, to see more of what others have (or are given) than what “I” have or have been given.

The Bible tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice” (Romans 12:15). This is rarely a first response when envy raises its ugly head in us.

Sadly, for all ages, this issue of envy seems to be rising more often in our culture because of social media. Most people only show the pretty side of their lives: the successes of themselves and their children, the glorious gifts received, the expensive dinners out and the vacations that bring some kind of covetousness or envy rising within us. Do these things make for an enviable life?

When I was in college some friends had a funny response anytime they would see a really handsome man driving a really sporty-cool car. As he would go by one of them would suggest that he was probably a “Mama’s boy” or the car was probably a gift and he was a lazy man who would make a lousy husband. As I look back at the message being conveyed, it was that things are not always as good as they look. Oh, to have this understood by everyone on Facebook!

Especially for the Christian. We are to be content and thankful –  not envious or discontent with what God has given us. With the Apostle Paul, can we learn to be content in any circumstances (Philippians 4:11)?

When our eyes and our hearts are on what God has given others we will fail to be thankful. Thankfulness is a large part of contentment. God loves to bless us when we are obedient to His Word. When we are envious or discontent we are considering ourselves more important than others and failing to look at what God has provided for us.

When we begin to consciously look at what He has provided and what He is doing for us (even as He convicts us of sin), we can rejoice with others in the goodness of our great God!

Paul gives a list of instructions for Christians in Romans 12. Among them is this little gem in verse 15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions but here’s one worth making: let’s train ourselves to be good at rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn. No envy. No covetousness. Just joining with others as they experience the grace of God through any range of circumstances He brings them – and us.