1 Timothy 6:7-8 "For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content."(NASB)
In the NIV the word content is translated satisfied. Both words are defined in the dictionary as being pleased with your situation; not wishing for more.
What does it mean to be satisfied/content?
Is it possible to find satisfaction in a world where everyone wants and strives to achieve more?
I mowed the lawn yesterday, which gave me two full hours of uninterrupted thinking time. I thought a lot about my own life. Am I satisfied? Am I content with the many blessing God has given me? To be quite honest, no. In many areas of my life, I strive for more. I am goal driven, a list type of person. I desire to accomplish 'great' things. Great mommy, home management, sort of things. I tend to compare what I am able to do with what my friends are able to. I am a do it your self'r. I like schedules, I like order. Is that wrong? I pondered that for quite awhile... and the Lord took my mind to the 10 Commandments.
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'
SIX: 'You shall not murder.'
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'
What do the 10 Commandments have to do contentment? In my life a lot! When I put God before anything else, my life is on the right track. When I start to look at what my friends have and compare what I have, I covet. I start to have false Gods when my focus is on something other than God. When I harbor hateful thoughts in my mind, I start to harden my heart.
I'll be honest with you, something I really struggle with is the number of children I have and the lack of ability to physically birth anymore. While we were going through IVF, all I wanted was a child. Thoughts of more children consumed me. I justified my thoughts by telling myself "children are a non material thing", "They take time and effort from me". My desire wasn't wrong, but my attitude was. Is it a sin to want more children? No. The Bible says children are a blessing! But, when I put my desire to have more children before my desire to serve and seek God's will for my life, I sinned. I coveted my friends who had 3,4,5 and 6 children. I made having more children the first and foremost important thing in my life. Having children became my false god. I became discontent, unsatisfied because my friend accidentally became pregnant. It was a snowball effect. I disobeyed one commandment, and soon I started sliding on the others. It wasn't until I was able to acknowledge what I was doing, and change my focus, that I began to feel satisfied. Do I still desire more children? Yes, most definitely. I would LOVE to bear another child. I would LOVE to adopt again. But I don't spend every waking moment thinking, researching and dreaming about it. Instead I am able to pray about it, and thank God for the blessing He has given me. I am able to look at past experiences through new eyes. I can see how God has changed me. He softened my heart, He brought me closer to Him. He satisfied my heart in a way I never new possible.
What does it mean to be satisfied/content?
Is it possible to find satisfaction in a world where everyone wants and strives to achieve more?
I mowed the lawn yesterday, which gave me two full hours of uninterrupted thinking time. I thought a lot about my own life. Am I satisfied? Am I content with the many blessing God has given me? To be quite honest, no. In many areas of my life, I strive for more. I am goal driven, a list type of person. I desire to accomplish 'great' things. Great mommy, home management, sort of things. I tend to compare what I am able to do with what my friends are able to. I am a do it your self'r. I like schedules, I like order. Is that wrong? I pondered that for quite awhile... and the Lord took my mind to the 10 Commandments.
ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'
TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'
THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'
FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'
FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'
SIX: 'You shall not murder.'
SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'
EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'
NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'
TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'
What do the 10 Commandments have to do contentment? In my life a lot! When I put God before anything else, my life is on the right track. When I start to look at what my friends have and compare what I have, I covet. I start to have false Gods when my focus is on something other than God. When I harbor hateful thoughts in my mind, I start to harden my heart.
I'll be honest with you, something I really struggle with is the number of children I have and the lack of ability to physically birth anymore. While we were going through IVF, all I wanted was a child. Thoughts of more children consumed me. I justified my thoughts by telling myself "children are a non material thing", "They take time and effort from me". My desire wasn't wrong, but my attitude was. Is it a sin to want more children? No. The Bible says children are a blessing! But, when I put my desire to have more children before my desire to serve and seek God's will for my life, I sinned. I coveted my friends who had 3,4,5 and 6 children. I made having more children the first and foremost important thing in my life. Having children became my false god. I became discontent, unsatisfied because my friend accidentally became pregnant. It was a snowball effect. I disobeyed one commandment, and soon I started sliding on the others. It wasn't until I was able to acknowledge what I was doing, and change my focus, that I began to feel satisfied. Do I still desire more children? Yes, most definitely. I would LOVE to bear another child. I would LOVE to adopt again. But I don't spend every waking moment thinking, researching and dreaming about it. Instead I am able to pray about it, and thank God for the blessing He has given me. I am able to look at past experiences through new eyes. I can see how God has changed me. He softened my heart, He brought me closer to Him. He satisfied my heart in a way I never new possible.
5 comments:
amen.
I found you via Megan. :)
It is so easy for me to want, want want and lately the Lord has been pressing on me too. Thanks for sharing
You ARE so right Annika, thank you for sharing your story and your heart, it helps us all relate.
what a great post to share- i love your thoughts! every single one of us who love the Lord have that same struggle!
Megan
VERY well stated, my friend!
oh, I can so identify with you, Annika! I too struggle with infertility and have gone through the very same struggles and feelings about wanting more children and putting that desire above God. You worded that much better than I have ever been able to. I would really like to talk with you more...about how you dealt with certain aspects of infertility and about adoption. I am Sarah's friend, (Alannah's mama) Holly, and you can e-mail me at ghochstetler@iowatelecom.net.
Thanks so much for your honesty and openness.
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