This is one lesson that I have struggled with for a long time now. Philippians 4:11 says, "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have". It says that he has "learned how to be content" but does not share his secrets of how. I need some practical steps on how to "learn to be content". Just to clarify, I am coming at this from a materialistic and financial perspective as I am constantly tempted to want more; more stuff, a higher paying job, a bigger home, a bigger television, more tools, etc. I have learned a few practical applications for myself in my journey to learn how to be content with WHATEVER I HAVE:
1- Avoid comparing myself to those who are "better off" than I am. This is very difficult as we attend a church that has many couples and families who are "well off" or appear to be "well off". The majority of our friends have high-paying jobs and are making a whole lot more money than we are. We are surrounded by people who have bigger homes, better cars, and travel more. In order to avoid the comparisons, I have to constantly monitor my thoughts and stop myself from entertaining these thoughts of not being at the "same level" as some of our friends.
2 - Replace the "comparison thoughts" with "grateful thoughts". I have so many things to be thankful for. I have a beautiful wife who loves Jesus and is committed to loving me. I have strong Christian parents who have been married for over 40 years. I have an awesome sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and niece who live 15 minutes away. I have in-laws that love God and are involved in their churches. LaShay and I both have jobs where we work Monday through Friday and see each other every day. We have cars that are reliable, a home that more than meets our needs, two dogs that are probably the best dogs on the planet, friends who love God, and an incredible church that is focused on teaching from the bible and reaching people for Jesus Christ. I could go on and on, which is what I need to be doing to keep the "comparison thoughts" in check.
3 - Compare myself with others who are "worse off" than I am. This can be very easy when I look around every day and actually pay attention to what is around me. I work with a heavily burdened population of people who have been diagnosed with ALS, a terminal illness where the typical person dies after 2 - 5 years of being diagnosed. Have I ever dealt with anything this bad. Never, and I thank God that I haven't. I pass homeless people at intersections begging for money on my way to work every day. Have I ever been without a home, without a family, without a job, without money? Never. I have friends who have experienced the hurt and pain caused by the divorce of their parents. I have worked with hundreds of individuals who battle chronic mental illness, which torments them on a daily basis. I have been on mission trips to third-world countries to see what true poverty is.
4 - Compare myself with what Jesus had to experience while on earth. This is the most important step for me as we are called to be like Christ. I need to constantly think about what Jesus experienced on this earth. What did he have and what did he desire while he was on earth? Did he need for anything? His focus was bringing others to Himself and to save us all from our sins. What is my focus? He had food, clothing, shelter, family, friends, a job, and a Father who loved Him no matter what.
Question for myself: If I have food, clothing, shelter, a job, a family, friends, and above all, a God who loves me no matter what, then what else do I need? Everything thing else is gravy, fluff, stuff.
