The grass is always greener on the other side… or so our culture says!
It seems as though by human nature we covet, envy, get jealous and crave the next best thing. How frustrating is it when you finally have enough money to buy an iPad and a week later Apple launches the iPad 2? Or when you look over at your girlfriend’s wedding ring, you begin to compare carats! What about the conversation of Kitchen Aid appliances verses your hand-me-down/thrift-shop appliances? Or, fashion says skinny jeans are in and when you get around to owning a pair, the MC Hammer baggie pants win over the trendsetters.
I was struggling in January with being content. I have always struggled with my body image; never really comfortable in my skin. In the times I feel depressed or stressed, I respond by eating more unhealthy foods. It satisfies my taste buds for a few short moments with pleasure but usually results in gaining more weight. In the last year, I worked hard to get myself in shape. In fact, my Pastor and his wife from church encouraged me to do the 30-Day Shred with Jillian Michaels; they proved to be quite the examples with very noticeable results after just a few weeks! I did the shred, and I sacrificed my favorite foods for healthier choices and I started to see the change. However, even after reaching my goal weight I still wasn’t satisfied and in a fit of dissatisfaction I started eating poorly again.
There were a few other things that I struggled with including my relationship with my husband, my marriage, our financial situation and my lack of a wardrobe. It seemed like I was able to complain about anything and everything, but God got a hold on my heart and began teaching me how to be a content wife.
These verses would come up randomly, encouraging me to be content, so I thought I would share. Let’s start with one of the commandments!
- “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:17
- “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” – Philippians 2:14-16
- “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive.” – 1 Corinthians 10:23
- “The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” – Proverbs 19:23
- “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” – Proverbs 14:30
- “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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13
- “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” – 1 Timothy 6: 6-8
- “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.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” – Hebrews 13:5-6
These verses are not in any particular order; I just wanted to give you some food for thought and encourage you in what I have been learning. To be content requires that we trust God! We need to understand His teachings and apply them to our lives! We can’t just read these verses and POOF we are content… its a choice we make in the attitude of our heart!
God calls us to be content, especially content wives. The condition of our heart effects how we respond to our husbands. Being content frees us and affirms our spouse! Let’s meditate on these verses, write them on our heart and live accordingly. Content in any circumstance.
