Recipe for Contentment

I started a new Bible study today that is a “Journey to Contentment.” I just read one section as part of my daily Bible reading, and it was enough to make me want to start a blog and share what I had read.

The book notes that contentment begins with an eternal perspective. According to Webster’s dictionary, “perspective” suggests “looking through; seeing clearly; the capacity to view things in their true relation of relative importance.” When we have God’s perspective, we view our lives and evaluate what is important from His viewpoint.

To put it in context, the study talked about a woman and her husband who worked in Africa for 52 years. In the heat. With a “strange” people. Without the conveniences of modern life. Without family. And on and on. Yet, she lived a life of contentment. Her daughter recently unearthed this recipe for contentment, and not only do I think it’s applicable — very much so — for my own life, but thought I’d share so you could benefit as well.

Here it is:

• Never allow yourself to complain about anything — not even the weather.
• Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.
• Never compare your lot with another’s.
• Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
• Never dwell on tomorrow — remember that [tomorrow] is God’s, not ours.

The secret to contentment is right there from the get-go: Keep your eyes fixed on eternity. Your tomorrow is God’s. And because all your tomorrows are nestled in God’s strong arms, you are free to live today. (This linked phrase leads to another Bible study I just completed about God as our refuge. An amazing and soul-refreshing study, and I encourage you to download and work through it.)

I will strive to be this contented person — to keep my eyes firmly affixed on the author of my faith. And, following my sister’s suit, I will close each blog with a list of things for which I’m thankful.

1. A great day.
2. The laugh that came out of my lips because, as soon as traffic cleared and I had the “go” to get on my way to work, a massive cloudburst slowed my journey down. I truly was amused.
3. The beautiful sunshine that filled the afternoon.
4. A great husband, who makes time to talk to me on our hands-free mobile devices as we both commute home.
5. Kids who have learned how to take on chores and lift the burden from my shoulders.
6. My sisters, who both are strong, yet oh-so-fragile and need to be handled with care.
7. My Transitions students (who will always be my kids) and the delight it brings me to see them doing things  together and growing together in Christ.
8. My husband’s willingness to help me through “computer stuff” like setting up a blog.
9. A heater under my desk in my office so I have toasty toes when I snuggle into bed with the man I love and don’t freeze him!