CONTENT OR DISCONTENT - IN WHICH TENT DO YOU LIVE? #3

In the third and final blog of this mini-series, I want to ask you to honestly examine your mind-set, attitudes, and actions to answer for yourself which tent do you live in! Do you live in Content-

ment or in Discontentment? We've seen in the two previous blogs that there are so many people who have settled for discontented living. (If you have not already, I encourage you to go back and read both blogs on this subject for the purpose of continuity.)

While so many people appear to be wrapped up in a "limburger cheese" mind-set, some definite principles on Developing A Sense and Purpose of Contented Living may prove to be very helpful! In last week's blog, we looked at five of these principles. In this writing, five additional principles are presented. Let's begin with Principle Number 6 with the understanding that I'm quite confident we all want help in moving our tents from discontentment to CONTENTMENT! So, here we go!

6) I DEVELOP CONTENTMENT WHEN I PRACTICE CONSISTENT PRAYER! The Apostle Paul did address this principal. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). I like the Living Bible Paraphrase which reads, "Don't worry about anything, instead pray about every-

thing." It is utterly amazing and sad that if truth be told, many followers of Jesus will admit to a very sporadic and anemic prayer life - inconsistent and weak life of communing with God in prayer! Individuals push prayer aside, husbands and wives fail to pray together and for each other, parents lack in lifting their children up to God in prayer everyday. As Christians, we may complain about our political leaders, pastors and church leaders, without praying specifically for them. We have truly become accustomed to having a "fox-hole" prayer life; that is we pray only in desperation when we have troubles. We treat God as though He is some kind of genie that will appear at our whims and when we need Him! And with this serious prayerlessness, do we really expect to be contented people? It Does Not Happen That Way! An old hymn again comes to mind; here are some lyrics:

"What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a Friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge - Take it to the Lord in prayer!"

If we truly want to move out of the tent of discontent into that of content, we will cultivate a consistent prayer life. Here is a good question: If we talked with our spouse just like we do with God, would our love relationship with each other be healthy? My niece posted this truth recently, "Pray about it as much as you talk about it."

7) I DEVELOP CONTENTMENT WHEN I THINK ON THE THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT! Paul the Apostle said it well, ". . .whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is of GOOD REPORT, since there is EXCELLENCY and THINGS WORTHY OF PRAISE, let your mind dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8). Note: he said "DWELL ON THESE THINGS." To dwell does not mean to think briefly, to consider only as happen-chance or as a fluke or coincidence. It DOES mean to abide in, take up permanent residence in, to be consumed by. It means to LIVE IN GOD! When we choose to live in God, we will choose to think the way He wants us to think (on the good, pure, righteous things) and we'll develop contentment! Remember this: That which holds our attention determines our actions!

8) I DEVELOP CONTENTMENT WHEN I HANG AROUND CONTENTED PEOPLE! ". . .join in following my example and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us" (Philippians 3:17). The Apostle Paul added, "The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you" (Philippians 4:9).

A series of solid sermons could easily be preached from these verses of Scripture. Suffice it here to say two things: First, too many of us hang around people who are discontented, who are always talking negatively, finding fault with people or situations, who have a "clinker in their thinker", who specialize in following after worldly values and living! These folks rarely, if ever, speak of God, His Word or His working in their lives, His answers to prayer or the blessings of sermons heard. If you hang around with people who are into gossip, negativity and complaint, you're more likely to be pulled into that same gossip, negativity and complaint. Second, join those who are contented as they trust God and focus on Living in Him! Be very discerning about the company you keep. Let's avoid those who have the "limburger cheese attitude" and life-style, for it could easily rub off on us!

9) I DEVELOP CONTENTMENT WHEN I REALIZE THAT CIRCUMSTANCES AND CONTENTMENT ARE COMPLETELY UNRELATED! We dare not wait for our circumstances to bring us contentment! WHY? Because our circumstances change more often than the weather! Contentment comes from within us, while circumstances arrive outside of us. Contentment is usually steady, reliable and durable, while circumstances are not! Again, the Apostle Paul said, "Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity. . . ." (Philippians 4:11-12)

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn wrote, "We spend so much time and energy trying to get what we WANT. We think if we get what we want, we'll be happy. Sometimes we do get what we want and end up disappointed, even in the Lord. We strive to get something we believe will fulfill us. We focus on the getting part. Messiah (Jesus) said something very different. 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.' The secret is not in getting what you want; it is wanting what you get! The secret of a life of joy and fulfillment is not in getting what you want, but in wanting the right thing." (Sapphires, July 2025 from the Teachings of Jonathan Cahn) How very true this is!

An eight year old boy was bowling with his family. He was rolling gutter balls constantly. After three games, he asked, "Mom, what was my score?" His Mom replied, "Your total score was 28." He then said, "Great, just think Mom, I used to stink at bowling." Pretty positive attitude, I'd say! And I think that no discontented, self-criticizing, negative, fault finding person would want to hang out with this contented eight year old!

Charlie Brown's dog Snoopy was looking forward to Thanksgiving Day, and the menu for dinner. But that day, like every other day, he was given dog food to eat. The family had plenty of turkey to eat. Snoopy laid down on the top of his dog house that afternoon and reflected on the food served. He thought, "Well, it could have been worse, I could have BEEN the turkey." Like Snoopy, we can choose to see the blessings even in those situations we may wish were better. Our circumstances must not control the tent we live in; contentment and circumstances are not related in any way!

You can't control the length of your life ----BUT, you can control its width and depth.

You can't control the contours of your face----BUT, you can control its expression.

You can't control the weather----BUT, you can control the atmosphere of your mind.

WHY worry about things you can't control, when you keep yourself busy controlling the things that depend on you? Our circumstances are mostly beyond our control, but we can learn to be content in all situations by trusting God, believing His Word and promises, rejoicing because of His presence, obeying His commands and Living In God!

10) I DEVELOP CONTENTMENT WHEN I RELY ON THE POWER OF GOD IN MY LIFE! Again, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn said, "In Ephesians 1:21, Paul wrote that the power of God, in Messiah's resurrection, is far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be named. What does this mean in your life? There are many powers and dominions in this world, not all of them good. There are powers of sin and evil, sickness, death, depression, anger, strife, addiction and impurity. There are problems in your life, worries and opposition. BUT, the power of God in the resurrection of Messiah (Jesus) is not just above, but FAR ABOVE your problems (circumstances). It's not just above that issue you're struggling with, it's FAR ABOVE that thing, FAR Greater, FAR Stronger and FAR More Powerful. Believe the resurrection, and the strength and greatness of the power of God, to give you complete victory" (contentment - this word is mine) (Sapphires, July 2025 from the Teachings of Jonathan Cahn).

The Apostle Paul also declared, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me"

(Philippians 4:13). Can we say the same? Is this our personal reality, or our wish it were true? Horatio Spafford was a successful lawyer and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. About the same time, he lost his four year old son to scarlet fever. He sent his four daughters and his wife, Anna, to England while he stayed in Chicago to pick up the pieces of the total destruction of his businesses and home in the fire. While on the journey to England, the ship carrying his family was involved in a terrible collision in the Atlantic Ocean and sank, His four daughters drowned. His wife, Anna, survived the tradegy. After rescue, she arrived in England and sent Horatio a telegram which began, "Saved alone, what shall I do?" He immediately set sail for England to join Anna. At one point in his journey, the captain of the ship, knowing about the tradegy that had taken the lives of the daughters, summoned Horatio to tell him they were now passing over the very spot where the shipwreck occurred. As he thought about his beloved daughters, the loss he experienced back in Chicago, words of comfort and hope from God filled his heart and mind! Finding these words to be FAR ABOVE his circumstances, he wrote them down, and they have since become a well-loved hymn "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"! Some of the lyrics are:

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll -

whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know, It is well, it is well with my soul."

Perhaps we cannot always say that everything is well in all aspects of our lives and in our circumstances. There will be storms to face, disappointments will rise up, adverse circumstances will be encountered, and maybe even tradegies to endure. BUT, with faith in the loving and gracious God, and in His supernatural power, with trust in His Eternal Word, and in His constant help and goodness, we can confidently move into the tent of CONTENTMENT! Horatio Spafford did that very thing - what is our excuse for not seeking to live in CONTENTMENT?