Thoughts
that have come from various quotes taken from the book, "Victor - Breaking
Free From a Victim Based Society" by John H. Hovis. Click here to link directly to
the audio file.
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"When it comes to contentment in the context of prosperity, the Christian minister and author Bill Gothard has it right. He says, 'Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.'"
As quoted from the book victor - breaking free from a victim of a society by John H. Hovis Page 103.
Do we ever live in a society where contentment is the exact opposite of the quote stated above. For me, I've been taught contentment really happens when I get all that I want. How about you? When I don't get what I want a lot more is usually in trouble in my life than just the issue of lack of contentment. When I'm stuck facing the possibility of not getting what I want is when victim thinking can really take hold. It is in these times when I'm more apt to say and do things that can be quite victimizing to those around me.
What a radically different view of contentment Gothard highlights above. Could the key to contentment really be focusing on how much I already have? It really all comes down to gratitude. Contentment and gratitude are unmistakably linked. Why? Because if contentment really is the realization that we have been blessed even when we don't have all we want, isn't it much easier to be thankful for what we have rather than distraught over those things we think we need in our life?
Gratitude, or thanksgiving, is a topic that is discussed quite a bit in the bible. Take a look at today's reading as it relates to gratitude and contentment.
But godliness with contentment is great gain For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
We've been taught that it is of great gain when we receive all that we want. And it is! Today's bible reading points out a different perspective on great gain. So much of the world is forced to be content with getting just enough food for the day. Do those people who find it a challenge to even feed themselves want more in their lives? Of course they do! But, don't you know how thankful they are for the food they were able to enjoy that day when just that morning the prospects for that meal were somewhere between slim and none? Contentment and gratitude are placed in such a different perspective when choices for the basics of life are in limited supply.
Here's how blessed I am, sometimes I'm not sure what comes first, contentment or gratitude. I've been in situations where was so easy to give thanks for my life because of the feeling of contentment. I've also been so discontent and adopted a strategy of thanksgiving in a way that made it easier to move on from that feeling of being discontent. I feel the need to stop and say thank you God for the fact that so much has been given in my life that I don't have to worry about where my next meal might come from. That kind of gratitude puts a lot of things in perspective, doesn't it?
There is nothing wrong with going after all that we can in this life. Prosperity isn't an evil thing! It is when we tie our identity to the things we have or don't have where contentment can become a real challenge. It is when I am forced to deal with my lack of contentment in ways were gratitude is so hard to find that victim thinking stands the best chance to rule in my life.
I guarantee that you and I will face issues today where our contentment might challenged. I think it's time we do something different when that seems to be the case. Let's try gratitude. When something hits you that makes you think about what you are lacking, stop and write down five things that you are grateful for. Then do one more thing. Send that list off to someone who might not expect to receive something like that from you. Then sit back and watch what happens. You never know, that gratitude list may open the door to a conversation that changes more than your life today!
**********
"When it comes to contentment in the context of prosperity, the Christian minister and author Bill Gothard has it right. He says, 'Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.'"
As quoted from the book victor - breaking free from a victim of a society by John H. Hovis Page 103.
Do we ever live in a society where contentment is the exact opposite of the quote stated above. For me, I've been taught contentment really happens when I get all that I want. How about you? When I don't get what I want a lot more is usually in trouble in my life than just the issue of lack of contentment. When I'm stuck facing the possibility of not getting what I want is when victim thinking can really take hold. It is in these times when I'm more apt to say and do things that can be quite victimizing to those around me.
What a radically different view of contentment Gothard highlights above. Could the key to contentment really be focusing on how much I already have? It really all comes down to gratitude. Contentment and gratitude are unmistakably linked. Why? Because if contentment really is the realization that we have been blessed even when we don't have all we want, isn't it much easier to be thankful for what we have rather than distraught over those things we think we need in our life?
Gratitude, or thanksgiving, is a topic that is discussed quite a bit in the bible. Take a look at today's reading as it relates to gratitude and contentment.
But godliness with contentment is great gain For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
We've been taught that it is of great gain when we receive all that we want. And it is! Today's bible reading points out a different perspective on great gain. So much of the world is forced to be content with getting just enough food for the day. Do those people who find it a challenge to even feed themselves want more in their lives? Of course they do! But, don't you know how thankful they are for the food they were able to enjoy that day when just that morning the prospects for that meal were somewhere between slim and none? Contentment and gratitude are placed in such a different perspective when choices for the basics of life are in limited supply.
Here's how blessed I am, sometimes I'm not sure what comes first, contentment or gratitude. I've been in situations where was so easy to give thanks for my life because of the feeling of contentment. I've also been so discontent and adopted a strategy of thanksgiving in a way that made it easier to move on from that feeling of being discontent. I feel the need to stop and say thank you God for the fact that so much has been given in my life that I don't have to worry about where my next meal might come from. That kind of gratitude puts a lot of things in perspective, doesn't it?
There is nothing wrong with going after all that we can in this life. Prosperity isn't an evil thing! It is when we tie our identity to the things we have or don't have where contentment can become a real challenge. It is when I am forced to deal with my lack of contentment in ways were gratitude is so hard to find that victim thinking stands the best chance to rule in my life.
I guarantee that you and I will face issues today where our contentment might challenged. I think it's time we do something different when that seems to be the case. Let's try gratitude. When something hits you that makes you think about what you are lacking, stop and write down five things that you are grateful for. Then do one more thing. Send that list off to someone who might not expect to receive something like that from you. Then sit back and watch what happens. You never know, that gratitude list may open the door to a conversation that changes more than your life today!
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