Thankfulness and Contentment – are they different things? According to this writer on LinkedIn, there is a difference between being thankful, also defined as grateful, and being content.
Gratefulness is being thankful for what you have. Contentment is being satisfied with what you have.
Gary Fearnall, Branded Content Solutions
While I agree with him that they are different, I believe that thankfulness breeds contentment because we can be thankful for what we have, where we are, and who we are with. It has a way of changing our perspective so that we become content with our work, relationships, or in general, our lives.
Three things can distract us from being contented or happy and satisfied, and conversely, these teach us how to be thankful and contented.
Thankfulness and Contentment Distractor #1: Rebellion aka Disobedience
Rebellion in the Bible is against God, His authority, and the leaders He has put in charge of the people. It is disobedience to the commands that have been put in place. And when rebellion is against God, it is unbelief.
Yet why do we rebel against God? Because we think we have all the answers. We know better than God, the creator of the universe. Before you get upset and click to close out the browser, hear me out. I have experience with this rebellion. I don’t know how many times I have told God that I needed help with something. He gives me an answer which can be a thought that is a whisper from the Holy Spirit. Yet I have dismissed those ‘whispers’ and thought I should do something else. Usually, when this happens, I go down the newfound path I have designed to find out that it was short-lived, and I am frustrated or unhappy about the outcome. Why? Because I figured my way was better than God’s, and I didn’t fear Him as the Almighty God. He knows what is best, and I need to obey His commands.
So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.
Deuteronomy 8:6 ESV
Gratefulness to God
Are there other reasons why we rebel and don’t obey? Yes. We all long for something more, which is a desire for God. He has been so gracious and given us many things in this world.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Psalm 103:8 ESV
When we aren’t grateful for how He has provided for us, we rebel against God. We must accept God’s providence and have a grateful heart for all He has done.
Distractor #2: Negative Thoughts
When we are being negative and not being thankful, this leads to what I call stinkin’ thinkin.’ These negative thoughts spiral us downward, and we have difficulty getting out of that pit we have built for ourselves. We have difficulty being content with our situation when we focus on what isn’t right about it. Instead, we must look for bright spots that can be found amid the trying time.
It is God’s Will for us to be thankful in all circumstances and think about what is pure, lovely, and true.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
When upset about something, I need to take a step back and consider what is positive in this circumstance. There is always something to be thankful for in a circumstance – good or bad. Sometimes in life, there are some pretty bad things we have to deal with. Yet I believe we can find something – even though it is small, to be thankful for.
Distractor #3: Neglecting God’s Word
God created us for community and fellowship with each other. He wanted to have a relationship with us, so the Holy Spirit inspired men to write the Books of the Bible. These books contain His Words and are how God communicates with us.
When we spend time in His Word with Him, we grow closer in our relationship. We experience full joy when we dwell in His presence.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
If we are too busy to spend time with God daily, we try to do life on our and rely on our strength. I know when I do that, I get weary and down. I can do life much better when I move forward with His strength.
In 1st Chronicles, the writer tells us to
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV
Time in God’s Word and His presence gives us joy and contentment that our strength alone cannot provide.
Summary of Thankfulness and Contentment
These three things: rebellion/disobedience, negative thoughts, and neglecting to spend time in God’s Word detract us from our contentment. Instead, we must soak up the time in God’s Word and His presence. We need to obey the commands and truths that we find in His Word. And then have a grateful heart and attitude each day.
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Rejoice in Your Work Devotional
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