We talk a lot about contentment on the show. In fact, one of Brant Hansen’s famous lines is ‘…if you want to freak people out in this culture: be content.’
It really is true. Not only is contentment a rarity, when practiced consistently, it’s downright powerful. Our culture, advertisers and marketers in particular, are terrified of contentment. They should be. Think about it. You can’t sell a new car to someone who thinks the car they have is fine. You can’t lure someone into the Memorial Day Blowout sale for all new furniture if they’re satisfied with the furniture they have.
But there’s a step beyond that. A step that crystalizes contentment and sets it in place as a bedrock of your life. That step: GRATITUDE.
I actually take it a little further and call it incessant gratitude.
A step beyond contentment
King David it put it this way:
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
So not only am I fine with that late model Toyota Camry I have…I’m grateful. I bless God for it…all the time. I understand that someone wishes they had it. I thank Him because there was a time that I couldn’t even afford that. So my praise creates a contentment that insulates me from murmuring, complaining, anxiety, depression, and more. Isn’t that powerful?
The Apostle Paul puts it this way:
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
GREAT GAIN! That’s sounds pretty nice, huh?
We have a savior to be thankful to
There’s been so much written about gratitude. In fact, lately, secular society has seemed to latch on to the benefits of it. Sadly (and I mean that genuinely), with the absence of a Savior and God to thank, the gratitude rings hollow. But we, as the children and beloved of God (I John 3:2) can thank our Father continually in all things.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
This consistent gratitude, over time, develops an attitude of contentment that not only will change your life but will change and influence the lives of those around you.
It’s powerful. Try it!!
Morning Show Host, STAR 93.3
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There is a part (The wrong part I’m sure) that says: “How does a beat-up, old Camry give glory to God? The shiney, clean, good running Tesla gives WAY more glory to God! Like look what the Lord gave me! Putput (Camry), or Look what the Lord gave me, vroom, vroom (Tesla).” Once again, dis-contentment. And a trap that the church sometimes puts you into with dreams of bigger, better, more and newer so that YOU can supply someone elses needs. The American Gospel of prosperity.
So true! We need more contentment preached!