Thanksgiving, or Contentment?

Here in America, we are again in that season of the year when we think thoughts of thanksgiving.   For some, Thanksgiving is merely a time for family and turkey (sometimes, the turkey is part of the family, to hear siblings talk).    Some actually spend time in this season to reflect on all the things for which they are “thankful”.  Many of these folks attempt to think of one thing per day to add to their list of “thanksgivings” throughout the month of November.   After about a week or so of this, you begin to see them begin to stretch their imaginations, you know, like the little girl asking a blessing over the meal.  “And thank You for the salt, and my fork, and the napkins . . .”

Many people today will measure their thanksgiving, or thankfulness, by what they have, or do not have.   I get that.   That is what we have become.   We judge one another, and ourselves, by what we own, how we dress, what we do for a living, and how attractive we believe we each may be, or not.   For some, the Thanksgiving holiday marks the beginning of the annual years-end depression, based on these self-judgments.  If only we could exchange the terms of, or blend them properly, Thanksgiving and Contentment.

The Apostle Paul learned, by experience, the great secret to living the Christian life, contentment!  

¹¹Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.   (Phil. 4:11-13)

Contentment is a very interesting word.   It means to be satisfied, to be at peace with you.   This is not something you get, or even given to you by God, “LORD, give me contentment!”   No, says Paul, this is something you learn by going through the extremes of life.   Think and pray about these thoughts.   Perhaps I will be the first to wish you a “Happy Contentment Day!”     May God bless you even more as you begin to understand contentment in Him!