We need to learn when to be content and when to contend. Saint Francis said it this way; we need the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference. What is healthy contentment versus fake contentment? What is health contending for the right things versus fake contending for the wrong reasons/things? Everybody's season/journey is so different so we should not judge whether someone else should be content or contending.
6. Philippians 4:12,13
12 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 and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in
plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him
who gives me strength.
24. Contend!
3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you
concerning our common salvation, I found it
necessary to write to you exhorting you to
contend earnestly for the faith which was once for
all delivered to the saints. - Jude 3 (NIV)
28. Overcome!
11 And they overcame him by the blood of
the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony; and they loved not their lives
unto the death.
- Revelation 12:11 (NIV)
47. What is God asking to you be
content with?
What is God asking you to
contend for?
Editor's Notes
Today I though we could chat about Content or Contend?
When should I be content and when should I contend.
When should I be gratefully content in every circumstance and
when should I rise up and contend to try to change the situation?
This important question has been around along time…
Today I want to ask an question; “Should we be content or should we contend? Content meaning at peace and grateful or Contend meaning
Saint Francis said it this way…
Saint Judy said it this way…
Adverb: in a state of peaceful happiness.
Noun: a state of satisfaction.
What can enable us to walk in this kind of contentment?
One key ingredient for healthy contentment is Gratitude flowing from a revelation of God grace and unmerited favor bought for me by the blood of Jesus.
Our tendency is to cry “that’s not fair!” Entitlement! fighting for our rights!
I don't know about you but I am so grateful that God is not fair (by our standard) and does not give me what I deserve.
Another key ingredient for Healthy contentment is a growing revelation of who we are in Christ.
I love that John’s identity was wrapped up in being “the one Jesus loved”
Identity wrapped up in being the beloved is less likely to strive for fulfillment and belonging from other sources.
Use = treat you like just a useful cog in His kingdom machine.
We want our contentment to flow from doing what the Father is doing not from success defined by man
So yes gratitude motivated contentment no matter what our circumstances is real but there are some fake versions too.
There is
The story that we are apart of is following a detailed blueprint. already written to the last detail and there is nothing we can do to change it.
Fatalism
“What ever will be will be”
“Inshallah”
“There must be some good reason for God to allow this”
“nah I’m good” Can look like contentment but it is not.
“meh” Can look like contentment but it is not.
Don't believe things will/can change…
Don't believe God can use me
Don't believe I will ever have enough
Don’t believe God is for me
False or Pseudo contentment can flow from things like denial, fatalism, unbelief, apathy, and the root of all negative fruit… misconceptions about God
Jesus said taught us to pray…
This is a pray of revolt agains the way things are. This could be shorted from the front of a battle! This is God inviting us to partner with Him to reclaim His world.
We contend with these weapons!
Joshua and Caleb not in denial but believed God’s message. The courage to contend flows from a sense that God has spoken and that we are just joining in on His mission and His battle
Are you able to genuinely celebrate someone who is called to do what you do and seeing more success ( more results)?
Re-inventing the wheel because “they” are not us and don’t have it quite right.
You are territorial and only work with those under your “covering"
You only support events that which can give you a platform
You are jealous of successful key leaders in your region
Striving and drivenness flowing from ambition to achieve success
As you live out your day-to-day life, how much are you driven and motivated by what’s in it for you, as opposed to what God wants you to do?
Doing the right things for the wrong reasons
Balance is a dynamic tension rather that a static fixed position that we lock into.
But with a the living God whose priority is relationship we must come back to Him in chosen dependence asking for guidance each time. not assuming we’ve got this figure out.
Daily Dependence on God is the opposite of Religion. Religion is so attractive because we can gain some control by figuring out the code, the rules.
We can work the system to get what we want and/or avoid what we fear.
No matter whether we are learning contentment or learning how to content God’s agenda is to make is more like Jesus.
so this means we should not (and are not able) to jJudge our brother’s journey.
It might be true but it will not bring life to judge and we are not qualified to evaluate someones heart and season.
It might be true but it will not bring life to judge and we are not qualified to evaluate someones heart and season.