Growing in Grace ... Discontentment

Are you a woman who is mostly discontent with your life? Do you envy other non-Christians who seem to "have it all", whilst you struggle financially, emotionally or spiritually?

If this is you, I invite you to join me, grab a cuppa and sit a while as I share with you my daily thoughts, insights and lessons learned through #scripture #devotions and #life on this very topic.

Discontentment, fretfulness and envy

“That is preached best, and with most probability of success to others, which is first preached to ourselves.” Matthew Henry

My life has been plagued with feelings of discontent, envying others whose lives on Facebook and Instagram appear so perfect - those woman who have beautiful homes, lives and careers. It is an area of my life that 'the enemy' loves to hone in on and tries to remind me of the worldly definition of what 'beautiful' and 'successful' should look like. If you, like me, struggle with these feelings, then join me in finding out what God's instructions and promises are in Psalm 37, which addresses these very life issues we face.

5 Ways we fret and envy non-believers who flourish

Matthew Henry's commentary of Psalm 37 does such a great job of explaining what happens when we focus on non-believers who flourish and seemingly go from success to success in the world. When we envy such people, we are apt to:

1. Fret (worry, anguish, pine) at God - "Why is He being so unkind to us who love him and follow him?" kind of attitude.

2. Fret at ourselves with feelings of vexation of their success - "Why am I so useless, what have I done to deserve this life?" kind of attitude.

3. Fret and envy them of the liberty their wealth provides - "We could really do with owning two cars like they do or, I would love to own that Prada bag she takes to work with her!"

4. Fret and wish we had their lifestyles - "Oh if I could only travel so widely like them or own a beautiful holiday home like theirs" kind of attitude.

5. Fret and imitate their ways of life in our own life or join ourselves with them. "We must join the same country golf club, perhaps that is why they have so many successful friends?'.

We are cautioned in this Psalm against discontentment - we know envy is a sin, but how often (myself included) do you catch yourself being discontent about your life and/or confess it as sin?

3 Precepts to live by for a contented life

“The discontent you feel, is entirely your own creation.” Anon.

The Psalmist in Psalm 37 instructs us how to not fret and envy: By living a life of confidence and complacency in God by following these 3 precepts:

1. By way of duty we must make God our hope - nothing else, nobody else - God and God alone ... it is He that leads us to a comfortable life. (vs3)

2. We must make God our hearts delight - not things. How do we make God our delight? By loving Him, living for Him, seeking to please Him and being pleased IN Him. (vs 4)

3. We must make God our guide and submit everything to his guidance i.e. ALL our affairs. (vs 5,6).

Verses 7 to 20 in Psalm 37 provide us with precept upon precept, line upon line to suppress our discontentment, distrust and disquiet when we see others prosper. Read them, memorise them and instruct them back to yourself when you are tempted to envy others successes.

The opposite of discontent is content, content implies that you are happy and not grieved by other's successes. You are happy with your own life - it may not be perfect, but you are happy with it. Read verses 21 to 30, which provides instruction on God's way to be happy.

5 Easy ways to be content

1. God requires that we "do" justly and render to all their due - pay your taxes, give compliment or thanks where do, repay your debt (get out of debt!). Follow the Dave Ramsey method for paying off debt or managing your money better.

2. Be kind, do good, give and lend generously. It's not that hard is it!

3. Delight in God and He will make firm your steps - way may stumble, but we will not fall. Amen!

4. Depart from evil, sinful ways or company - learn to do well and cleave to it. God will not forsake us.

5. Speak wisely, watch your words, praise God for what you have and not what you don't have. If you need to be taught wisdom, God promises this to us in James 1:5 - all you need do is ask.

Helpful Resources

• As mentioned above: Dave Ramsey website for money management.

• Read the whole of Psalm 37.

• The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm & Love Well in a Culture of Compromise by Chris Hodges - highly recommended read.

• Spiritual Warfare for Women - this book provides useful strategies for winning the battle for your home, family and friends (and yourself!).

Do you suffer from envying others and what they have - join the crowd - you are not alone. I would love to hear your story!

Graciously Yours

Mandy