[HAPPY Monday!
Today we start into learning 7 habits of a happy household with Habit #1 – Contentment.
Oswald Chambers wrote a message once titled, “Making a Habit to Have No Habits” and in that message what he was teaching was this – “Your habits should become such a part of your life that they actually become who you are and are no longer disciplined actions, but are divine attitudes of Christ living His life in and through you.”
Watch today’s video and then scroll down for the “Key Principles in Cultivating Contentment:
Key Principles in Cultivating Contentment
1. Establish a reasonable standard of living.
It is important to develop a lifestyle based on conviction, not circumstances. God will assign Christians at every economic level. On whatever level He has placed you, live within the economic parameters established and supplied by Him. Just having abundance is not a sign of God’s blessings. Satan can easily duplicate any worldly riches. God’s abundance is without sorrow and is for the purpose of bringing others to Christ.
2. Establish a habit of giving.
Some of the most contented people I know are also some of the most giving people I know. Not only in tithes and offerings, but in personal involvement, too. Being a giver is a sign of living with a loose grip on stuff and an open hand toward others which displays a heart of true contentment.
3. Be thankful in all things.
Many Christians are discontented because they look at what they don’t have and become dissatisfied and discontented, rather than thanking God for what they do have and being content with what He has supplied.
4. Refuse to compare your life with others.
It is remarkable that in America we could ever think that God has failed us materially. That attitude is possible only when we allow Satan to convince us to compare ourselves to others. The primary defense against this attitude is praise to God. Until Christians can truly thank God for what they have and be willing to accept God’s provision, contentment will never be possible.
5. Reject a fearful spirit.
One of the most effective tools used by Satan against Christians to lead them to an attitude of discontentment is the question, “What if?” When fears dictate to the point that worry seems to control every decision, contentment is impossible. Contentment is a walking without fear but in full assurance that “God’s in control.” “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
8. Trust God’s promise.
“The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Contentment is so far removed from many Christians and it is not something that must be searched for and found. It is an attitude of the heart that is cultivated by our own choices.
*The principles came from Focus on the Family online resources.
I just started this series with the lesson on contentment. I have been struggling with being content in my current situation. This reinforces what I’ve been advised by my parents and also what I’ve been reading in scripture. I know that I need to daily focus on Christ and have an attitude of gratitude (for starters). Please keep me in your prayers, I am trying but some days I find myself discontent. I pray God continues to lead me through his holy scriptures and send me to other believers who have encouraging studies such as yours. I look forward to reading more blogs and watching more YouTube videos.
Ashley, I just loved reading your comment…read it twice simply because I hear that the Lord is so tenderly speaking to your humble heart. He will continue to lead you and I can’t wait to hear more from you, in sharing how He keeps on encouraging you!