I made myself a cup of English Tea this morning. The smell of that particular tea brought a sudden rush of a pleasant memory from my childhood. I remembered being at Grandpa and Grandma Helmers house on Sunday afternoons with a gathering of my uncles, aunts, and cousins. Grandma would always prepare and serve tea and various cookies, or Ritz crackers with butter on them. We children would sometimes get to have “milk tea,” as we sat together, just us kids, at Grandma and Grandpa’s kitchen table. What made it special, besides getting to drink what the adults were drinking, is that we got to drink it out of a delicate china teacup too! Milk was always added to our tea as kids. How I remember the smell of that tea. The aroma of my English Tea brought me back to a simpler time as a child. It was a contented time. That memory brought a smile of a peaceful time from my upbringing in Northwest Iowa.
Can I say what Paul said in Philippians 4:11 – I, Linda Killian, have learned in whatever situation I am to be content? Have I learned the secret of living through every circumstance in a state of abiding peace? Those two words “learned” and “content” are important words.
Paul wasn’t able to be content automatically after he became a Christian. Paul went through the school of hard knocks and trials. He learned the secret of how to be content by totally depending on Christ’s resources over his own self-sufficiency. He stayed the course. He fought the good fight.
The definition of contentment from a biblical perspective is: “An internal satisfaction which does not demand changes in external circumstances”—Holman Bible Dictionary.
I have to confess, I do not always have that mindset. How about you?
Do circumstances change your thermostat temperature reading? Or do you enforce your ability to remain steadfast in the truth that you already know, so you don’t shoot up and down emotionally as situations change? Are you a victim of your circumstances or a victor? I will admit I am too often a victim, due to my attitude regarding problems that arose throughout my day.
As a member of the perfectionists club, and being on the type A side, when things don’t go as expected and planned that is a problem for me. I have my schedule. I have my list of stuff to do and have researched, studied, and thought out how they should get accomplished each day.
1 Timothy 6:6-8;10: states: “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content . . . For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. . .”
So that means in smooth times, in rough times, we are to be content in where God has placed us and given to us for today. We cannot see into the future. I can only reflect on where I am at today and be thankful because God is in control.
I have said that my signature verse after enduring a particular trial in the past became Psalm 119:92: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Then my prayer became: Teach me Your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before, and make this verse my testimony when I emerge from this place.
When our eyes look with envy towards what some other woman is wearing or her status in life, we have lack of contentment and appreciation.
When we fall into the trap of comparisons, it leads us to insecurity, feeling worthless, and a lack of gratitude for what God has given to us.
I was told men tend to suffer in silence and become overwhelmed when considering they are not good enough, while we women seem to fall into insecurity issues.
Here are a few verses to help us all in this area of having more contentment. Push the pause button. Drink a cup of tea. Reboot your mind with these truths from God’s Word:
Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”
1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”
Psalm 23:1: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content, with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
John 4:14: “But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become to him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
What is weighing on your heart today? Is it your children? Are you experiencing relationship issues? Are you carrying a heavy burden and wish it would end? Or are you somewhere in-between?
May we all stop this trap of comparison in our lives. There is a right time to be stubborn. We must be stubborn in not giving into saying yes to frustrations.
My prayer for today: God forgive me for not being more thankful for what you have given to me for today. This is a new day that you have created and planned just for me. You have gone ahead of me already. You are my shield and overseer. Thank you for Your plan of working out all things for my good for Your glory. I ask that You answer my dreams that I have committed over to You in your designated time frame.
“Real contentment must come from within. You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us.” Warren Wiersbe.
“Life is not a series of accidents. It is a series of appointments. This is the providence of God, a wonderful source of contentment.” Warren Wiersbe.