Does your attitude need adjusting? This is the season when its so easy to slip on over into jealousy, self-pity, worry and stress. I find that I often need a good talking-to. So I make myself pray consistently each day for strength, grace, a loving nature, peace and an Attitude of Gratitude toward God.
Join me here every Thursday in the month of December for some encouragement and some understanding… lets help each other look to God to help us get through the holidays victoriously and with gratitude!
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A
ll week long I have been finding things to be thankful for. There are just too many to list in a blog post. So today I want to focus on having enough.
Its just so easy and natural to feel like there is never enough: enough money, enough friends, enough respect, enough time, enough love …
God tells me to be content. “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, sto be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13
Paul knew that he had no real needs that were not being fulfilled. He was content where God had placed him. I have been learning contentment too. What I have at any given time is what God wants for me. Sometimes it is to teach me. Sometimes it is to discipline me. Always it is to share with others and provide for them.
I am so thankful that I have enough. When my focus is on Jesus, and not on the commercialized celebration of materialism Christmas has become, I am freed to see that I have more than enough. I’m free to share that freeing knowledge with my children and live it out before them with joy!
Father forgive me for being selfish and focused on getting riches, getting more, being wealthy, being well thought of. Help me get my eyes on YOU, my thoughts on YOU and my life revolving around serving YOU. Let me use what you bless me with to bless others. Show me every day that I have enough and more than enough. Help me to shake off the chains of greed and love of money this season Let me not waste time wishing for things but let me spend that time praying for more of You in my life. Amen.
“You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.”
– Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Are you struggling with materialism this Christmas? Are you thankful for having enough? Where are you in this journey? Its your turn to share ……..
About Sylvia
I’d share if I could
Sylvia,
Thank you for this. I have been struggling. I keep thinking ‘Oh, I wish I could get this for______” or” _______, could really use that”. It is easy to get caught up in the trappings of the commercial Christmas. And to be honest, more stuff is just stuff. What I really need to be focusing on is nothing that can be purchased in a store.
As beautiful as this time of year can be, it is often an illusion when I too let my heart/eyes wander. Over the course of this season, my daily reading/writing have lead me to come into a better understanding that my Jesus is enough. It is not natural to this flesh of mine. But ten days from now, ten days ago and for all time, His truth doesn’t change. “Scruff of the neck” choices occur daily/hourly “who” will I serve? I am thankful that this Word we rely on is simply true. And He loves passionately.
Millie, thank you so much for your transparency with your struggles and feelings. That’s where I want to focus too, on the One who is enough.
Carmela, those were beautiful words. It definitely is a day to day/hour to hour choice!
Love
Sylvia