Christmas!!! The feels of Christmas can be different for everyone. There is excitement, happiness, stress, sadness, and fear. Gifts can add to these feelings. The discontent of “This isn’t what I wanted.” “How are we/I going to pay for all this?” “Where do I put all this stuff?” “Where did this decoration go?” “Oh, this decoration broke!”
Read Philippians 4. Paul was not a person who was content. He did learn to be content and if he did so can we.
Have you experienced stressful situations that threatened your contentment? It can be a number of things for many of us. Being married, getting married, a marriage ending, a new baby, infertility, losing a job, an illness, moving, and friendships.
Have you ever experience complete contentment? Can you identify what helped you be content with where you are in life? For me, I measured everything to how focused I am on God. The more time I spend with him; the more content I am in every part of my life. Another thing that helps that I have learned recently is to just focus on today? Don’t focus on yesterday and don’t focus on tomorrow. Be grateful for the things of today.
Take a look at Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. What do you think this verse means? How do you respond to this verse? Gratitude each day can help us have peace and joy. It can help us focus on how God takes care of us. This doesn’t mean we won’t have bad days. It means even in the bad days, we can still find joy in the middle of the mess with Jesus by our side.
Our joy is a gift from God. When we have joy, we find contentment.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this wonderful day that you have made. I pray that we will find contentment in you and keep our focus on you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
