"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content." 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Contentment is a really difficult thing for me. I've always been the type of person who wants to know the finished project before we get started (P.S. Asking God for blueprints directly to my mailbox hasn't worked thus-far). I just don't enjoy hacking away at something that, in my eyes, could end up in vain.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
My restlessness and impatience has jolted to an all-time high these last five months. As some of you know, I began my first semester at college this past January and truly believed I had heard God point me in this direction. Although at about two months in, I began to wonder why I was here at all. I felt completely lost in a world where you almost had to know your chosen "path" in life to get anywhere. And here's the thing . . . I have NO CLUE what I want to do for the rest of my life. I don't have a clear major or a plan at all (still waiting on those blueprints, God). So, being here and still having no sense of direction has given me that "hacking away at nothing" feeling.
Secondly, these five months have left me feeling lonely a lot. I knew that inevitably life was going to be different here, but the sadness from missing my family, friends, and the love of my life slowly began to sink in.
And lastly, it may sound very immature of me, but I have never been a person who enjoys school. I'm always very bad for picking apart what I'm learning and deciphering if it's actually necessary for my everyday life. If it's not, I'll maintain my grades but I lose interest very quickly. Plus, not knowing if I will be returning here in the Fall has been a stress on my attention as well.
Overall, I have a lot of unanswered questions in my life right now. And if you've ever been there (or are currently there), you know how frustrating that can be.
Before I packed up and left for school, it was to mine and my families best understanding that it was God's plan. So as my semester comes to a close, I have to wonder why I was sent here in the first place. And I think the number one reason is what I am blogging about today. I believe the Lord has been trying to teach me contentment.
"If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures." Job 36:11
It dawned on me after a few weeks of "wallowing" in my troubles. I literally never felt happy and could only focus on how miserable I felt here. Then my sweet Josh sent me a text message and as politely as he could, asked me to start focusing on the positive and stop letting things affect me so much.
At first I was mad, to be honest. Had I really been that miserable that it was now concerning him and his well-being? How dare he ask me that for his own good!
And then I realized, he wasn't. He was confronting me on my behavior for my own good. He knew that it was my choice to find joy in my life and as of then, I hadn't been.
So then I made a choice.
I could find peace and joy in Christ and choose to search for the good in each day,
or I could ignore anything good and be mad at God for leading me to school in the first place (as I had been doing).
So I changed.
And although it's a daily struggle, I plan to stay changed.
5 Steps to Contentment
If you're struggling in similar ways as I have, please keep reading! I am only going to share what has worked for me and hope it works for you too!
1. Set a time for Jesus.
I'll be totally honest, this has been the hardest one for me. On my bad days, I have no desire to seek His face, but I find that most of the times that I choose to anyways despite my attitude, I automatically feel uplifted.
2. Don't procrastinate
I'm the worst! Leaving stuff undone until the last minute is my specialty. But I have found over and over again that when I actually make an effort to be productive in my day, I am so much happier by the end of it. Make this a HABIT, not a rare occasion and you will find that you are much more content when you can continuously check things off your to-do list.
3. Work out.
"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands." (Legally Blonde)
It may be a silly phrase, but it's SO true: Exercise makes you happy!
I feel so much better and accomplished after a good, sweaty workout . . . so go burn some fat, my friend.
4. Be thankful IN all things.
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
The Bible says to be thankful IN all circumstances, not just for all things. People often say to make sure you thank God for what you have, and that's important! But it is also important to choose to thank God for WHATEVER place He has you in at the moment. This actually should be the first step because choosing to praise God for where He's placed you is a leap necessary to even begin being content.
5. Praise daily.
However you choose to do this, whether it's listening to worship music while you're getting ready in the morning or biking up to a beautiful view and bathing in God's presence, make a choice to focus on Him. You will find that letting God know how much He means to you will help you in the long run and set fire to your relationship with Him.
Lovelies, I fail daily. In so many areas. But I'm hoping and praying for strength in my life to continuously put God first.
If you struggle with contentment as I do, I hope that my experiences will help and in the mean time, I will be praying for you too!
Keep in touch!
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