Contentment

4/6/09
“This negative focus darkened her mind,” is the way today’s Jesus Calling entry depicts Eve when her mind was seeing what she couldn’t have rather than seeing what she already had. Do you ever do that? Brood over what you don’t have. Eve couldn’t see all the luscious, desirable fruits she had been given, only the one she couldn’t “eat freely.” (Gen. 2:16) With prompting from the serpent, she began to focus on the fruit of the tree that was delightful to her eyes and desirable for wisdom, even though it had been forbidden by God. (Gen. 3:2-6) Discontent had entered her mind. She wanted more. “All I want is a little more than I have now” would have been her bumper sticker.

I have always heard that there are 3 verb tenses for life---past tense, all the “if onlys” we tell our selves as we brood, the future tense, all the “what ifs” we worry about when we fear and the “pleasant” tense—all the acceptance that comes when living in the present, especially in His presence. That “pleasant” tense is one of contentment and is often a place where too few Christians hang their hats. Like Eve, we look past what we have and focus on what we don’t have.
We often convince ourselves that if only I had this, if only my spouse hadn’t left me or if only this circumstance were different then I would be happy/content. Oh reader, do “you look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until it is fixed.” Anxiety often plays tag between the
if onlys and the what ifs---we just swap the areas of our worries. What if the biopsy comes back positive? What if I never have children? Comparison (a big struggle for women) is a thief of joy in both the past and future tenses of life, as we wonder if only we were as pretty or as thin as someone else, or what if our child can’t make the grade for the best school.
We have to let go of those if onlys of disappointments and regrets of the past and those what ifs of the future, that are usually out of our control anyway.

My definition (still under construction) for the “pleasant/present” tense of contentment is----a learned trait that is marked by inner satisfaction and peace that manifests itself in a grateful spirit and an absence of complaint.
• It doesn’t come naturally; it has to be learned. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Philippians 4:11)
• Satisfaction comes from El Shaddai, the All Sufficient One. (Isaiah 55:2)
• His peace passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
• In everything give thanks. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• Do all things without complaining and disputing. (Philippians 2:14)

Can contentment be a reality in the midst of a cancer diagnosis? For me, it has been one of the most content times of my life. Trust me, I can hold my own with the best of the carpers of the world--- I wrestle with an attitude of complaint far too often. But, this MAC Journey has been such a time of affirmation of God’s goodness for me that contentment has been an overflow. I’ve learned it in a classroom (or on the dance floor) of suffering but I wouldn’t trade the lessons that He has had for me in the midst of it.
Journal Jottings:
Contentment comes from………………..
,,,,,,,,,,,,,not denying reality but by experiencing today----that "pleasant present" tense------in Christ’s strength------------focusing on the Lord and not my circumstances.
DON’T LOOK FOR CONTENTMENT AT THE END OF THE ROAD. WALK THE ROAD WITH HIM---DANCE ALONG THE WAY---LIVE IN THE “PLEASANT” TENSE!