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A Heart of Contentment
By Susanne Scheppmann
Key Verse:
1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment
is great gain.” (NIV)
Devotion:
Contentment eludes most of us much of the time.
We covet what others have in their lives that we do not. It may be beauty,
cars, homes, thinness, sex appeal, clothes, money, or a host of other items or
qualities that we value. Day after day, we hear how inadequate our lives are
without all of these things. Advertisers coax us with the promise that if we
purchase their product then we will be happy and, best of all; others will
covet what we have.
Today as I sat down to work, I felt anxious and
irritable. My mind raced on about what would make me happier and more content.
My thoughts hip-hopped from weight-loss, to more money, to a needed vacation,
to less pressure in work, and to maybe a facelift.
Perhaps it’s not my face that needs a lift, but
my life. Hmmm . . . I definitely needed a life-lift. Now interestingly, I had
just read a magazine, pictures included, about Hollywood couple, Brad Pitt and
Angelina Jolie. Discontent and depression crept in as I read each paragraph and
looked at the airbrushed photos. Yes, I admit, I devoured the whole silly
article. I bought into the lie of this world that my life didn’t measure up.
My dysfunctional thinking eventually landed me
in bed—depressed. Then, I reminded myself I had a devotion to write. I went for
a long walk around my neighborhood. The sun shone brightly, a breeze blew
briskly, the birds chirped, and I felt God’s whisper in my spirit, “Now
Susanne, what more do you really need?” Tears sprang to my eyes. I admitted
humbly that I need nothing, nothing but a spiritual spanking from the Holy
Spirit. “Oh, Father, forgive me,” I prayed. “Why do I always want more and
more?”
Are you battling discontent and depression? Does
getting out of bed seem like a monumental task? If yes, let’s decide together,
to follow the advice of Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the Lord leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” (NIV) The term fear means to revere and respect. When
we grumble with discontent, it demonstrates our lack of reverence and respect
of what God has supplied in our lives. Our key verse, “Godliness with
contentment is great gain,” points us to what brings a heart of
contentment—godliness and with contentment.
A heart of contentment awaits, let’s allow it to
become a reality in our lives today.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I thank You for all the
blessings You have given so graciously to me. Please forgive my discontent and
grumbling. Help me discover the contentment that comes only when I place You
first in my life. Teach me to keep a heart of contentment. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
Application steps:
In a notebook, list at least twenty-five
blessings that God has provided for you. Review the list when you feel the
attitude of discontent creeping into your thoughts. Memorize 1 Timothy 6:6 and
Proverbs 16:23.
Reflections:
What prompts my discontent? (Magazines, TV,
movies, etc.)
Do I revere and respect God?
Am I grateful for the blessings in my life?
Power verses:
Proverbs 19:23, “The fear of the Lord leads to
life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” (NIV)
Philippians 4:11-12, “I am not saying this
because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have
plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (NIV)
Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the
love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never
will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (NIV)
© 2007 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
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