Having a Moment?
You ever have a “moment”? Everything is just going along just“fine,” and then something hits you sideways and you have a moment. Maybe you had a Facebook moment when you saw that you weren’t included in a party or conversation or outing. Perhaps you had a home-improvement moment as you watched all the options HGTV had to offer. Could be you had a Pinterest moment when you tried your best to recreate the image on your computer screen and it was an unrecognizable failure.
Maybe you had a moment with your kids, your boss, your husband, your scale, or your mirror . . . and the moment dissolved your contentment.
My moment came at the tax guy’s office. As he looked over all my documents, his mouth tightened into a disapproving grimace. “Robyn, I know this God thing is important to you, but I have to tell you that at your age, you should be thinking about your future. You need to get a real job.”
Ugh.
I explained how faithful God continues to be and how, even though the numbers may not show it, I am experiencing his peace and pleasure as I partner with him to proclaim Jesus’ name and teach the Bible from coast to coast.
He shook his head, seeing that his advice was falling on deaf ears.
What I’d told him was true, but as I left his office, my contentment asked my confidence for a date and they took off for parts unknown. The evil twins, discouragement and dissatisfaction, moved in to take their place.
I saw my world through their viewfinder. My car makes funny sounds. Our furnace is 25 years old. My bank account isn’t multiplying, but my weight and wrinkles sure are!
I had to wrangle my contentment back in place.
The first thing I did was make a list of one hundred things I had to be thankful for. One hundred things! When I consider all I have, the things I don’t have diminish in necessity.
Next, I realized I’d lost my contentment because the tax guy thought I should be doing better, not because I didn’t have what I needed. Many of us lose our contentment not because we aren’t doing well but because others are doing better, and the comparison kills our contentment. I chose not to relinquish my contentment and peace by comparing my situation to what Tax Guy projected as successful or enough.
Finally, I reframed the story in my mind and heart. I looked at what was going right or moderately well or mostly okay and dwelt on that. What you focus on grows! (I should have that tattooed on my forehead so I see it every time I look in the mirror.)
So what if I didn’t speak in arenas or make a million dollars? I get to proclaim the goodness of God at dozens of events annually, encouraging thousands to trust Jesus.
Being content doesn’t mean settling for less than God has for you. It doesn’t mean tolerating sin or abuse toward you. If change for the better is within your grasp, go for it! Contend for more! But if you’re where you’re supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to do, be content where God has you.
What steals your contentment? What can you do today to get it back?
Verse for today: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. —Philippines 4:12–13
Prayer: God, teach me the difference between contentment and complacency. Guard my heart against comparisons and remind me to be thankful. Show me when to settle in and when to contend at all cost. Guide me as only you can to your perfect peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Robyn, isn’t it interesting how quickly we let something someone says take control of our emotions. Love the exortations to be thankful. I hope to come to another time together!! My friend who brought me, Karen, had inoperable breast cancer for the third time. Please pray for her.
Barb
Barbara, I do agree in prayer for Karen’s healing and for cancer to be thwarted in her body. Jesus, heal our sister.
We thank you in advance for what you will do. amen
You made me laugh more than once while reading this email! But isn’t it true about the tax people and their remarks sometimes? Then sometimes our husband give us the same look or comment…but God is Good ALL the time and it is serious stuff to keep our eyes on Jesus and continue to do His work. He blesses our socks off!
He does indeed, Lynn. Thanks for reading and for posting.
We discussed this last night at our Bible study. Despite all that is going on in our country and around the world,
we have to stay focused in Jesus. God is in control.
Amen to that Becky.
Girl, get a new tax man. We need you! You HAVE a real job. I always say that the Devil tends to pay more than God does here on earth but you can’t beat God’s retirement plan!!
Thank you for being yourself. Thank you for blessing me during the womens retreat in the
camp
Tamarrack. Thank you for preaching the word of God. I felt more empowered when I came home. Thank
You. God Bless You.
Letha,
I loved being with you at Camp Tamarrack. Hope your retreat this summer is just as anointed.