Staying Content

Contentment goes hand in hand with being THANKFUL. In honor of Thanksgiving, I am focusing on contentment/thankfulness this week.

What does true contentment look like?

How do we achieve contentment?

con·tent·ment

[kuhn-tent-muhnt]

–noun

1. the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind
–adj
1. mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are.


2. assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc.


3. peace of mind; mental or emotional satisfaction.


[C14: from Old French, from contentus  contented, that is, having restrained desires, from continēre  to restrain]

—Synonyms 1. See happiness. Ok. That's what Dictionary.com says. So that's all fine and good, but how to you achieve contentment?
Hmmm. Happiness, Satisfaction, Ease of mind. I don't know about you, but it seems like during the holidays, especially, our minds aren't at ease, satisfaction is hard to achieve, and happiness revolves around things, gifts and the "next best thing." I am just as guilty as the next guy when it comes to wanting the latest gadget or new "something", but when I let go of that and enjoy the gifts He brings, I am much more settled.
Scripture says: {Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. } - Philippians 4:11-12 ESV
I am so thankful for His Word to guide me and lead me down the path He has created for me. I am still very much a work in progress. At times I feel as if I have a long way to go. But isn't it wonderful that we have a Savior there to hold our hand and draw us near in encouragement to achieve contentment. I am realizing contentment is a choice. A choice we are presented with, daily. I know that before we are truly content, we must turn our eyes and hearts toward Him. We must give Him our everything and let go of ourselves. I am thankful... I AM thankful.... I am THANKFUL! #1 I am thankful for a Father that allowed his son to die for my sins so that I may live. # 2. I am thankful for the joy and laugther from our little ones. #3 I am thankful that His mercies are new EVERY morning. #4 I am thankful for my family and the love that surrounds our little home.                          #5 I am thankful for my wonderful husband and his determined spirit to live beyond himself. So those are my top 5 reasons to be thankful today. There are way more than that, but let's start there. During this time of year, especially, we need to give a little extra thought to what we are thankful for and what we appreciate about life. It's easy to let the world tell us how much we need, what we should be wearing, how we should be behaving.... you name it.  It isn't until we look full into the face of God that we find utter and complete contentment. Dig deep into The Word and find YOUR contentment. It's there, waiting for you.  So, the question is.... What are YOU thankful for? I would love to hear your comments! {a little side note in contenment. :-) As I was working on this post... The Lord was working on me. Today I was challenged technically and artistcally with the appearance here. See, I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to things such as this and lets just say ... well.... this is the best I could do today.... I am content .... (err... trying to be content with this for now. :-)) {pardon my spacing issues}}