Learning to be content where you are. This is something that God has been laying on my heart for a while now; not necessarily for me maybe, but perhaps for others. Being content where God has me is something that God has taught me and something that I continue to learn. Actually lessons like patience, attitude and being content are learned on a continual basis anyway…hopefully we never stop growing in those areas.
Anyway, being content where God has us is important because there’s usually something to be learned where we are, and until we are content there and learn it, God won’t move us. A good example is in our finances. When we are struggling financially, there is usually one main reason: we are living beyond our means. Now, we may have suddenly lost a job or have suddenly incurred some unexpected medical expenses, but the bottom line is we didn’t plan for such a financial emergency. Most of us live paycheck to paycheck without saving any money for financial emergencies and we depend on credit cards to purchase the extra things we want. Then when things happen like the economical downfall, a medical emergency or our car dies, we pray to God to increase our finances or to pull us out of this situation. Well, my friends, perhaps God wants us to learn to live within our means first, which includes saving for such things. I know it’s a struggle, believe me, I know…I won’t even get into our financial struggles right now…which is why God has been laying this on my heart for the last few days.
Last night I prayed asking God to show me what I need to do, to learn that will help us in our finances. And today I’ve had this revelation so to speak. He wants us to live within our means, which means budgeting and budgeting will lead to paying off our debt and saving for financial emergencies, and then also giving more to further God’s kingdom. And it’s not like I don’t “know” this. I do have the knowledge in my head. I have to learn to be content where we are financially right now, which means buckling down, sticking to the budget, and really putting forth effort to pay off our debt and start saving money. It’s not going to be easy…it will be a struggle…but whoever said anything worth doing or having is easy? It’s not, but it is worth it and it is what I want for our lives.
Another area I had to learn to be content in was when I was single. I was married for all of my adult life and after 17 years of marriage I was single. I tell you what I hated being single!!! I wanted a man so badly that I fell for any man that was interested in me. First one that came along after my divorce I fell for. We got married and were divorced in less than a year. Single again, I dated this guy who was also newly divorced. Thought I loved him, but the feeling was not mutual; he went back to his ex-wife. Devastated all I could do is turn to God. I struggled with being single for about 2 years. This guy (the one who went back to his ex-wife) was in and out of my life during those two years though we never dated again (although I was always hoping we would). Then somewhere along the way, I knew I had to be content in my singleness. I knew I needed to stop wishing and hoping and praying and dreaming that God would bring me a husband. I knew that I needed to let God be my husband. Then, of course, along comes this other guy that I had a crush on and thought he liked me too. We hung out all the time and would have each other over for dinner and all that kind of stuff. He ended up liking someone else, and they eventually got married. So, once again I had to let go of the idea of being in wedded bliss and be content in my singleness. So, I started seeking out God’s will for my life through prayer and bible study. I knew that I was supposed to be in youth ministry, so I started volunteering on Wednesday nights again (I’ve been involved in the youth ministry ever since I got saved) and was truly content being single, having fun just hanging out with my single friends, other women in church, and helping with the youth. I was also (still am) active in the Emmaus community. I love working the walks and to make a very long story short, it was while working an Emmaus walk, that I met my husband, Jeff. We have been very happily wed 4 years this month.
If I hadn’t learned to be content in my singleness (not pining, longing, hoping, wishing or dreaming for a man in my life) I would probably still be single today. No man can fulfill our needs. Yes, we are created to be married, I truly believe we are. It is also God’s will that we are prosperous and successful, yet if we aren’t obedient with what God has given us, He’s not just going to perform some miracle to make us rich. (Yes, I believe God does perform miracles every day and He does absolutely provide all our needs.) I just know that action, obedience and faithfulness is required on our part.
I’m sorry if I’m sounding preachy. I don’t mean to. This is just something that’s on my heart and I’m trying to share it the best I can.
Wherever God has you right now, ask Him to help show you what you need to learn in this situation, from this experience, so you can move on, so He can move you. Search Him, seek Him out…He is faithful…He will answer.
The Bible says in Matt. 11:29 that we can rest in God. When we are “resting” in God we are content, relaxed, laying back and letting Him speak into our hearts and souls. Rest in God.
As I’m typing this I’ve been listening to some Hillsong music. Song number 12 on the cd Look to You
Your faithfullness endures always
Where mountains fall and reason fails
And You calm the raging seas
And You calm the storms in me, again
All I know is I find rest in You
All I know is I find rest in You
My heart will praise throughout the night
Where singing seems a sacrifice
Your grace is all I need
Your grace is all I need
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Wonderful post Mary. So true! Isn’t it amazing how we grow with the experiences. I believe most of us can relate to the financial struggles but unfortunately many never learn to live within their means. Wanting to be loved and accepted is natural and our longing to be with someone can easily take up all our energy and direct our focus to something that is not meant to be our focus. I’m glad God is working your heart.
Blessings,
Linda
Awesome post Mary! Kind of funny that this whole content issue is something God is dealing with you on because it’s exactly the same thing I’ve been feeling for the last few days (well actually since Sunday at church).
As for the single thing. Well it’s no secret that it’s been my dream to get married since I was little and that I’ve always struggled with this whole singleness thing. And while I still do long to be married I’m FINALLY at the point where I’m realizing that there are so many pros to being single and that I’d rather be single than end up in a marriage that isn’t Godly or a marriage that God doesn’t want me in.
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You hit the nail on the head. We struggle and we fight and we even bargain with God sometimes and all He wants us to do is be thankful and happy with the amazing blessings He showers on us daily. I’m right there with you on the financial contentment line. I think I am close, but dh is no where near there. That makes it really hard.
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