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Excerpt from Character Makeover
By Dr. Katie Brazelton
Chapter 6: Contentment
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Philippians 4:12
The Practice of Contentment: Thankfulness
When you're struggling with being content, try being thankful. It's the best way to practice contentment when you don't feel content. If anyone has ever known how to be thankful in dire circumstance, it's -- you guessed it -- the apostle Paul. He seemed to delight in finding impossible situations in which to be thankful. With memories of imprisonment, shipwrecks, beating, and hunger fresh on his mind, Paul wrote:
Give Thanks for what you have: Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything (Ephesians 5:20).
Give Thanks for what occupies your time during the day: And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father (Colossians 3:17).
Give Thanks for your circumstances: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
That pretty much covers everything doesn't it? There is not much I can think of that is not included in that list. And thankfulness is not conditional. Paul doesn't give us an "out" to be ungrateful when we don't get what we want, when we're feeling unfulfilled in our work, or when our circumstances are painful. We're just supposed to give thanks, because thankfulness signals to God that we trust him completely, even when life doesn't make sense. And in the moment, when you have found some way to thank God or express your trust in him, you can truly say, "Life doesn't get any better than this."
Journal: Use the following categories to make list of things for which you are thankful. (You may need to get creative in a category where you have experienced pain or where you are currently struggling with contentment. Ask God to show you some genuine ways you can thank him for that difficulty, or simply express your trust that you will be able to thank him in the future.)
I am thankful for the followings things in my...
Family: ____________________________
Martial state (whether I'm married or single): ___
State of Parenthood (whether I have my own children, or nieces, nephews, students, or neighbor's children in my life): ______________________
Occupation: ___________________________
Home: _________________________________
Hobby: ________________________________
Health: ________________________________
Church: _______________________________
Friendships: ____________________________
Possessions: _____________________________
Imagine that you must choose between a million dollars and contentment. Which would you choose and why? (Don't cheat and say: "Well, if I had a mil, I'd be content!")
________________________________________
Prayer
Precious Lord,
THANK YOU! Thank you that contentment is the realization of how much I already have. (Go back through today's journal and thank God specifically for each thing you listed.) As I pray through the lists I have just made, I thank you for each blessing you have given me, even the ones for which I had to get creative. Please fill me afresh with the realization of how much I already have. Life doesn't get any better than this.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
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