Is it possible to be content in all things? Honestly, I think it is a super hard challenge! There was one Thanksgiving when our finances had been really tight. I was fighting the grumbling spirit within myself. Why cant I have the riches and the wealth? Why do I always have to struggle? It’s not fair God!
Then the following verse came to me!
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)
I was up for the challenge! I decided to maintain my feeling of happy and thankfulness as I challenged myself to replicate my Thanksgiving meal on a simpler scale. I kept reminding myself there is always someone who has it worse. That Thanksgiving our focus was on having our needs met, instead of our wants. We had a hen instead of a turkey, boxed mashed potatoes instead of homemade, and boxed stuffing instead of from scratch.
You know as I reflect back on the day, it wasn’t about what we didn’t have, but what we did have! It was more about everyone sitting around the table laughing and enjoying a meal. When things do not go as we would like them to, we cannot look at the negative; we must focus on the positive. We must ask ourselves, what we can do, where can we go, and what can we make? Take the focus off yourself and focus on someone else! Besides, who dictates what we are supposed to eat and do on Thanksgiving anyway?
“Let’s take our focus off the commercialism feast and feast on “HIS” goodness and mercy!”
I challenge you to take a few minutes and reflect on the year; remember all that the Lord has brought you and your husband through. I remember the song from my childhood, “Count your blessings name them one by one, count your many blessings and see what God has done!”
Building stronger marriages together,
Leanne Collins
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The following are a few more verses to further encourage you:
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!” (Psalms 105:1)
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalms 106:1)
