June 26, 2008
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A Contented Heart
Well, here is my next post and it is not saying that we’re moving! We did receive an offer but it was not a good one. We countered and now we wait. We’re not as hopeful that we will be moving after all but the bottom line is that God knows and we’re seeking to rest in that.
Keeping a contented heart when you are wanting something different than your circumstances can be such a snare. Discontentment distract us from keeping our eyes on Christ and finding our joy only in Him. My heart longs to see my husband out from under the strain of this workload. Yet, God continues to provide through my husband’s long hours. I must continue to rest in God’s sovereignty and trust that for TODAY I (and my husband) are exactly where God wants me!
“When we have a discontented heart, we fail to see the purposes of God. And we fail to accept the purposes of God–to see that God has a plan that He is working out, He is fulfilling. He’s wanting to show us His greatness and His power and His mercy and His love. He’s wanting to shape and mold us. He’s wanting to make us believers, true believers. He’s wanting to build our faith. But when we have a discontented heart, we reject God’s purposes. We say, in effect, “I don’t care what Your plan is. I want what I want, and I want it now.” Nancy Leigh DeMoss
His ways are so much higher than my own. Think about that for a moment. When something, orSOMEONE, is raised high above you physically then they can see so much more than you can. God can see the beginning to the end of my own particular situation therefore He has greater (all) knowledge to direct me (not mentioning all of His other attributes working together in the decision). Yet I find myself just as a young child, demanding his way with a parent, continually wrestling with God over our circumstances. I’ve been reminded by the Lord through His Word the past several days to keep seeking those things above and not on this earth. Then, and only then, can my heart be at rest.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Col 3:2-3
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But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Matt 6:33-34
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The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment is an old classic that I pull out to read during trials and always find such encouragement. It’s one of my all time favorite books! It’s definitely not ‘fluff’.
Comments (8)
My heart says amen and amen to your post….this exactly where were at…waiting on the Lord and desiring to be joyful and patient in the midst of the circumstances that “we feel need changing”
This goes right along with what I wrote yesterday on the virtue of patience.
God Bless you richly as you wait on the Lord.
Patience was not a virtue I was born with. I have had to culivate and practice it continually and I still fail miserably at times. But I am made strong in my weakness and strive to improve daily. I pray that God’s perfect will is made clear to you. Have a wonderful weekend.
I pray for you and trust our gracious, compassionate Lord to honor your patience with continued strength for you and for your husband. Thank you for sharing this testimony of faith. In Him, Laurie
I just read the Streams in the Desert devotion for today and it so speaks to what you have shared here. Here is the link: http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert/1404352/
Good post. My dd has been looking for another job for 6 months. It gets harder and harder to wait on God. We say we believe in God and trust Him and know that He wants the best for us but when we are tested we start to think I trust you God but it’s hard. I want out of this situation. Growth is painful. I’ll being praying for you.
good reminder
I love you Georgene.
Great post. I’m re-reading that book now too! Take care!
Jenn