Content With Discontent: Killing Comparison With GratitudeНамуна

If you’re battling with discontentment, you’re in good company. The Scriptures are loaded with examples of disappointed saints—men and women of faith who nonetheless battled with discontentment from time to time. The children of Israel made no bones about their many declarations of discontentment. The psalms give us hope as you see from some of God’s finest, some days they just felt like whining a little. The disciples even jockeyed for position while walking alongside Jesus in the flesh.

The apostle Paul did us justice when he wrote from the rat-infested dungeon of a prison cell in Philippians 4. He begins the chapter with general encouragement to just live for Jesus. Throughout the remainder of the letter, he reminded them of what it means to suffer for the Lord, live consistently for him, resist evil, and remain humble. Let’s read the first five verses here:

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;” [Philippians 4:1-5 ESV]

Pretty straightforward, right?

Phil 4:1–“I'm sending my love and encourage you to stand firm in the Lord.”

Phil 4:2–Paul was writing to the church folk about getting along with each other.

Phil 4:3–Support each other in the spreading of the Gospel!

Phil 4:4–Maintain joy.

Phil 4:5–Be gentle with everybody.

JESUS IS COMING SOON.

But then he starts getting down to where they truly live—acknowledging what may have been going on in his own life, and justifiably so. Paul, most likely, was living in a rat-infested, sewage-saturated dungeon in Rome. I’ve been there. You cannot stand up inside of it! It is no posh VRBO. And he lets them in on some secrets he’s learned to remain grateful, at peace, and content amid the worst of circumstances.

Let’s read the next few verses:

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9 ESV

Phil 4:6–Cast off anxiety by praying and maintaining gratitude.

Phil 4:7–Once you’ve cast that off, the peace comes to help you guard your heart and mind. Embrace His peace.

Phil 4:8-9–Think on what is true and right and good; manage your thought life.

How is your thought life? Having a thought is not sinful. But meditating on the wrong thought--letting it set up camp in your mind and heart--can lead to sin, especially the sin of discontent.

Dig a Little Deeper:

What do you do when thoughts of comparison, ingratitude, or bitterness sneak into your mind? Take the next 24 hours to practice Thought Management. When a thought that threatens peace, leads to comparison, or instigates anxiety enters your mind, stop to pray and give it to Jesus immediately. Replace that thought with something or someone you are grateful for. Notice how the peace of God comes to your aid.