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| Be discontent! |
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Today I was contemplating contentment after having read the last chapter of Philippians. Specifically...
4:11 …for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 4:12 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.
God has blessed us with health, family, home, job, friends, and of course himself. Plus more on top of that. I am thankful for everything God has blessed us with (at least that which comes to mind!), and I am content with that, not asking for more or better. But yet I have to admit that I am very far from being content in every situation. (Actually the NIV goes a little further than other versions by including the word “content” in v.12. However, v.11 still appears to laud complete contentment in the other versions as well.)
In fact, sometimes I wonder if I’m truly content in any situation. I continually want to see our church grow faster… our small group increasingly devoted to rigorous study… my Christian friends embrace Christ with more of their lives… our children think of themselves less, others more, and Jesus most of all… our marriage to have fewer routine ups and downs… more non-Christian family, friends, and neighbors accept Christ...
And the thing I am most discontent with … myself. I want to love God more fully and more often. I want to be able to recall the perfect scripture for any situation. And I’d like a prayer life that would make Elijah envious. I’m not at all content with my present state!
I don’t believe it’s wrong to be discontent in these ways. In fact, I believe what I’m describing is actually a Godly yearning, perhaps what Paul refers to as “straining” in Phil. 3:13. It’s a constant yearning for more, a yearning or dissatisfaction that I hope to never lose (in this life). In fact, I hope this is a dissatisfaction shared by all of us! For any of us to settle for the status quo at any time in our lives is to become complacent, to refuse God’s call for us to experience more of him, isn’t it? Since God is infinite, is there ever a time when we can no longer grow anymore, learn anymore, receive anymore?
Discontentment with peace sounds like a strange mix, but when you yearn for more of God, discontentment seems natural. Perhaps only when we reach heaven and find ourselves visibly and directly in his presence will we find true, blissful contentment. For the time being however, I’ll continue in my discontent, exhorting myself and others to press on, to continue moving forward in faith. Reminds me of the exhortation voiced by several of the characters in The Last Battle, the final book of the Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. “Further up and further in!” they repeatedly cry. And so I hope it is with all of us!
Related blog: Continuing when you don't feel like it (on the importance of perseverance)
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| To add a comment to "Be discontent!" |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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Hey Mike, another great thinking post.
I think that Paul sort of covers what you are talking about in the second half or your post here 3:12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. 3:13 Brethren, I could not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing `I do', forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 3:14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I think the contentment Paul talks about in your quoted verse has more to do with earthy suroundings and our lot in life. God wants us to be satisfied with whatever gifts or trials he sends our way. Yes we should press forward in our walk with him and not settle for where we are but press on to win the prize that God has laid before us.
Thanks again for challenging us with your thoughts.
peace
Glenn |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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| Hi Glenn, thanks for your comment (and star)! I concur completely with you, and a search for all verses with the word "content" further backs that up. Importantly, we have a lot of NIV readers who don't do such cross-referencing. My first thoughts were, Paul, you've just contradicted yourself, b/c you aren't expressing contentment in all situations in what you've written previously in the very same letter! But not to worry, I am sure Paul would echo the Narnians: Further up and further in! |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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Hello again, Mike and Laura
Seems we're on the same page. I get so, so frustrated and continually pray that every word in God's Word would be engraved on my heart and flood my mind. It seems that I have hardly skimmed the surface of kowing Him - I stand in awe of God.
You do encourage us, thanks.
God's richest blessings to you and your family.
Beverley |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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| Thanks so much, Beverley. We stand together in awe of God! ~mike (n laura) |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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I ask God to work in my heart and soul so that I'm a content person with goals. I want to be content where God has me, but contentment doesn't mean I'm not working toward a goal. It's interesting how we can confuse contentment with complacency, but they are very different. I'm content when I choose to accept my situation. I can still work to change my situation if I see a need, but I accept it. It's like someone who works the night sift, for now, so they can get a promotion latter. I'm complacent when I just don't care. |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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| Great blog again, Mike! I think we can be content in our discontent, if that makes sense. It says to be content in every situation...even those that give us discontentment. We will never be completely content until we reach Heaven. There will always be more to learn, more to achieve...and more souls to save. In the process of it all we just have to find that contentment, that "peace that passes all understanding." |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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Thanks Deb, you're so kind. I agree, the mountaintop of contentment is yet to come!
Melanie, I thank you too! Your words communicate great wisdom.
Jess (my new friend), interesting thoughts on contentment vs complacency. Question: am I still being content if I choose not to accept things (myself included) in their current state? |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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To me, contentment means I accept my circumstances at this moment. This is always a good idea, since I can't change anything by willpower alone. When I'm not content (i.e. not accepting things as they are this moment), I can't listen to God very well. I think I need to give an example. Let's say I have a sinful habit. If I accept I have a sinful habit, that God wants to help me overcome it, that it may take time, but that God can be victorious in this area of my life - that's what I'm calling contentment. I accept my circumstances, and I have a goal. I may not like where I'm at, but I accept my situation, and I'm content that God and I are moving forward. I guess, for me, contentment is a choice. If I accept that my life is as it is this moment, I can respond. If I live in a lie somehow (I don't accept I have the habit, I think God hates me for it, I'm impatient that overcoming it is taking too long, or that God can't overcome it), I can't be content. I guess I equate contentment with the kara joy the new testament mentions. Kara is one of the two greek words that translate into joy in english. Kara pretty much means "a serene acceptance that God is in charge", or "a serene acceptance that God is bigger than my circumstances." I accept that I have things about myself I wish were different. I'm content that I'm this way (at this moment), and I'm content that God and I have a plan to change the things He convicts me of. I'm sure Paul wished he had more money when he had none, but he accepted that situation, and knew God was bigger than his present circumstances. Did Paul's contentment mean he didn't do anything? Does that answer it? |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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| Yes, thanks for explaining yourself further Jess, that was very enlightening. I'm seeing that there is a difference between being content "with" all situations, and being content "in all situations" as the NIV puts it. So, yes I can find contentment with God in all situations. But that doesn't mean I am content to stay put in that situation, in that condition, or whatever. I can still be straining, pressing on to more, and greater, and better. I guess it all comes back to what Deb said, "I think we can be content in our discontent." How about that, that lady is a genius! |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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Mike,
Biblical thinking, as usual. I think there is a danger in being content, but we are also called to be content. In a sense, contentedness with where we are now is a early warning sign of backsliding. I think the comments here that differentiate between contentedness with physical versus spiritual abilities. I've heard it said before that in Christ, if we are not moving forward, we are sliding backwards. There is no standing still in spiritual growth.
Funny thing, I sort of wrestled with this in my blog today about how to rest in God's will, but also strain and pray that God's will be done: the old dilemma between God's secret and revealed wills. |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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| No, not formally. But I rehash the foundations on a daily basis with my kids! |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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I love this prayer. I think it's relevant. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to thange the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.
Accepting that He will make all things good if I surrender to His will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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FYI, That's the Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr. |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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| Ah Jess, in this prayer we ask for the "serenity to accept the things I cannot change" -- so it is the things we cannot change (or influence) that Mr Niebuhr would say we should be content with. But to change or influence the changeable takes more than discontent, it takes courage! (again acc. to the prayer) And finally, as we've already said, pure contentment (supreme happiness) will come when we are with Him forever in the next life. Thanks for posting that, Jess. And thanks Norm for the source! ~mike |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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I think contentment is a matter of perspective that we cannot truly weigh until until we have chosen to move out of safety of our cushy comfort zones. For me, when I think I'm 'discontent'--if I look at the bigger picture, take on a global perspective, I feel in no way qualified to use that word in relationship to my own experience. I am always content--and that's a tremendous blessing.
6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 6:7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out.
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| August 21, 2007 |
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Would I be complacent if I forgot to give you a star?
Or would I be discontent?
Just kidding. I happen to totally agree with you and Glenn.
Cheers and God Bless |
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| August 21, 2007 |
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| Awsome BLOG and comments by all. Before coming to Christ there was never enough (see Habakuk). But concerning Christ the more I look for a better walk the more I get. In short Christ is exceedingly abunadantly more than advertised. |
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| August 22, 2007 |
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"The more I look...the more I get." That's a brilliant contribution, Dave. I'm so glad you are a part of this community!
JJ, I've never thought of you as complacent, buddy.  (& thanks for the star!!)
Birdie, pleased to meet you! Hmm, I wonder why it says "Godliness (w/contentment) is great gain." Could it be that it is never completely achieved? |
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| August 22, 2007 |
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| Well Mike I get your point. However, the passage you've used is one that is constantly being taken out of context. Like right now. There are plenty of passages that deal with what you are talking about. But this on deals more with money. Whether, well fed or hungry, whether I have a lot or a little, weither way I am content . . . because Christ is my strength, my provider, my deliverer. The content of your blog is right on and you always make us think. But you hit a sore spot with me on this passage. Sorry. |
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| August 22, 2007 |
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| Yep, I'd agree Brad. I don't think Paul is wrong about being content, I just think it's easy to take him way out of context in that passage. Thanks for your contribution! And sorry about hitting that sore spot, I hope things get back to normal (superb, excellent) for ya. Grace & peace buddy! ~mike |
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| August 24, 2007 |
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| Wow, this conversation has been great. I have learned quite a bit and I must say that Jess is mature beyond his years. |
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| August 27, 2007 |
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Mike,
I was just listening to a seminar John Piper taught on Prayer, Meditation, and Fasting where he explained the difference between being content (with temporal circumstances) and being satisfied (with spiritual vitality). He said that Christians should be content, but we should watch out for signs of satisfaction. Being satisfied (when offered water of life, saying "No thanks, I'm full") is an early warning sign of backsliding. The living water we drink from fully satisfies us, yet makes us want more and more. In reality, eternity lasts for eternity because that is how long it will take us to be fully satisfied in God. |
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| August 27, 2007 |
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ReformedOne, most excellent points. THANKS for remembering this blog and posting your follow-up thoughts!! ~mike |
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| February 22, 2008 |
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| "I believe what I’m describing is actually a Godly yearning, perhaps what Paul refers to as “straining” in Phil. 3:13. It’s a constant yearning for more, a yearning or dissatisfaction that I hope to never lose (in this life). " You got me on this!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| February 22, 2008 |
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Thanks Paul! Dude, are you saying you read through that entire list of blogs on my profile, only missing one? Wow, you have a lot of time on your hands! LOL ....just kidding, I appreciate you brother!
Jenily...it definitely seemed like we are yearning for the same thing....let's hear it for spiritual health!! |
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