Contentment
“Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want.” ~ Jim Rohn
“I just want one more thing.” How many times have you heard those words or a variation of those words? For that matter, how many times have you heard those words coming out of your own mouth? “I want more.” That seems to be something ingrained in our human nature. We never appear to be content with what we have and often, as soon as we get what we want, we desire even more. That is truly the key to unhappiness.
There is nothing wrong with having things. However, we need to learn to be content with what we have, even if we want something else. If we are content, it will not matter whether we get whatever else we may want. If we are not content, that “something else” becomes critical and when we do not get it, we can become unhinged.
This does not only deal with material things. This deals with spiritual things as well. There are too many times that people play the “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality in their spiritual lives. “He serves others better than I serve. She prays more fervently than I pray. I want what they have.” These kinds of cravings can undercut our spiritual lives and leave us feeling empty and arid.
As I said, there is nothing wrong with wanting more. It only becomes wrong when our desire overrides our contentment with what we already have. This is a lesson that is difficult to learn and just as difficult to teach. However, it is a lesson that must be learned if we are going to be as centered as possible.
FAITH ACTION: Ask God to grant you the grace that you need to be content with your many blessings.