We all hear a lot about gratitude this time of year. So, instead, I’d like to talk about discontentment and discouragement. Ha! Kidding, not kidding. Yes, we’re encouraged to be thankful during this holiday, but we’re also bombarded with enticing advertising that can draw us into a trap. We become obsessed with a certain thing(s) that we want. We scheme how we might get it. What we already have pales in comparison to the thing we want. We ‘know’ we’ll be happier when we get it. And we’re not going to be happy till we get it! We rarely call it by its honest name- discontent. Often we use euphemisms like improving, advancing, self-care, higher standard of living, keeping up with technology, enjoying our hard-earned money, and even gifts. But under the spell of our desire, we may be unaware that creeping from the shadows is the Dragon of Discontent who drags us down and devours our happiness. After all, discontent with what we have and focusing on what we don’t have has been a trick of the enemy of our souls since the dawn of time. Satan tempted Eve to focus on the one tree that was forbidden instead of the thousands of trees they were free to enjoy. He tempted King David to steal another man’s wife even though he had his own.
Case in point: I have an old computer that can no longer support the latest advances in PhotoShop, a program I use every day. I have to check my thoughts often. It’s good to want to improve my situation and buy a new computer. But it’s easy to cross the line into focusing on what I want, but don’t have. I’ve had to remind myself to gratefully use the good tool I already have. I have to remind myself that I can improve my skills right now with what I have. I remind myself that God knows my needs and he has always provided above and beyond. (I will eat three meals today. How about you?!) I remind myself that God will give me everything I need to serve him and others. I remind myself that God’s timing is perfect. I remind myself that God patiently teaches me life lessons I need to learn. (Like not going into debt!)
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” 2 Peter 1:3
Then there is the temptation to chafe under the limitations of my aging body. (I may have heard some groans from others just now.) It’s tempting to be discontent because I can’t do what I used to do. I wanted to cook a nice meal for some family members. I might add that I like to cook. But I was unwise in what I attempted in one morning. I chose to cut dear Husband’s hair before I started cooking. By the time the meal was prepared, I had pushed my body beyond it’s limits. I was bemoaning the fact that I can no longer enjoy something I’ve enjoyed my whole life when dear Husband gently reminded me that I was being discontent. Uh, oh. Yep. He was right. I wasn’t being thankful for what God has given me. I was focusing only on what I didn’t have. I have to repent often nowadays! But I’m so glad I don’t have to keep wallowing in the mud of discontentment. I can be happy enjoying what my generous Heavenly Father gives me.
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Discouragement is another tool in Satan’s toolbox. I think discouragement and discontentment have some things in common. The enemy of our souls sure likes to use both of them to derail us! And both can be overcome by practicing gratitude and faith.
When I’m honest, I see that I contribute to the power of discouragement by complaining. Same for discontent. Feeling sorry for myself drags me into enemy territory fast because I’m casting doubt on God’s goodness. If God is good, why is this happening? It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I deserve better. Others have it better than me. It’ll never get better. This thinking is actually rebellion against God. We’re saying that we know better than God what is good for us. We’re putting ourselves above God. And that’s upside-down thinking!
The anecdotes for discouragement are the same ones that combat discontentment. No matter what, thank God. By thanking him, we’re recognizing that he is the Source of all good. We’re acknowledging that we by ourselves didn’t get the good things we already enjoy. We are indebted to the Creator who alone is all powerful and divine. Thank him for what he’s already done. Thank him that he can bring good for us out of bad circumstances. Think of the good God brought for Joseph in spite of his hateful brothers and lying employer. (Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. ) Thank him for his promises. He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8 “for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”) Thank him for the kind of God he is. He is the mighty God who showers his lovingkindness on us. (Nehemiah 9:32 “Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love. . .) Thank him that he listens to us. He invites us to call on him. (Psalm 50:15 “call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”) Thank him that he cares. So much so that he keeps track of the hairs of our heads. (Matthew 10:30 “the very hairs on your head are all numbered.”) Thank him that he’s powerful. Thank him that he’s in charge. (Isaiah 44:8 “do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? )Thank him for a guaranteed happy future with him. (John 14:3 “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”) We have the privilege of laying our needs before him in prayer, committing both our needs and ourselves into his good care. Then we can rest happily in his kind arms.
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! . . . Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4,6-7
God knows the power of gratitude. That’s why he commanded us to practice gratitude. We can choose to replace destructive discontentment and discouragement with gratitude, and faith, enjoying a close, happy relationship with God through all seasons.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow [like the sun and moon]. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.” James 1:17-18
Update: I was able to get a deal on a computer during Black Friday sales. And didn’t charge it. So grateful.