contentment – Brian Friedl https://brianfriedl.com Making Your Life's Mission Possible Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:59:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3.17 64732294 The Secret Of Contentment https://brianfriedl.com/the-secret-of-contentment/ Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:59:16 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/the-secret-of-contentment/ When it comes to needs we all have them whether they are spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, or financial.  These needs can vary moment by moment.  There are times when we have abundance and times when we scratch our heads wondering how to keep the lights on.  

When we are found and rescued by Christ, our greatest need has been met for all eternity.  Is this not greater than the perceived lack of any of those areas?  Paul was a man who experienced great abundance and accolades and yet had also endured hardship and persecution.  What was his secret to contentment?  Focusing on His greatest need being met in Christ. We ought to do the same. 

When Jesus is in this rightful place and our hearts are content in Him, we are at peace. Yes the light bill still needs to be paid, the car still needs new tires, but our hearts are filled with joy that surpasses any need. May you be found filled with that joy today!

Reflection

What are you most content with?

What if Christ was really the #1 object of your affection and source of contentment? How would your life be different?

Prayer

Father, we are so easily distracted by the physical realm. Open our eyes to see the amazing eternal gift in Christ.  May our hearts be filled to overflowing with joy in every area of our lives. Let us be content above all else in Jesus.  Give us this day our daily bread that it may not distract our worship but expand it all the more.  We trust in you and love you LORD!  We lift this to You in Jesus’ name, Amen!

]]> 1346 How To Have Joy And Satisfaction https://brianfriedl.com/how-to-have-joy-and-satisfaction/ Sat, 21 Jan 2017 12:22:56 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/how-to-have-joy-and-satisfaction/ Contentment comes when we are satisfied with something over time.  That something could be material, spiritual, or even a thought or dream. In spite of the best circumstances it still requires a choice to be satisfied.  

One of the challenges to being content is that circumstances are often changing and seemingly not in our favor.  What we put our hope and affections in can leave us lacking.  

While circumstances change, there is One we can trust who will never change, leave or foresake, and certainly never leave us lacking.  God has proven himself as our provider time and time again.  It was He who sacrificed his son and withheld nothing from us while we were still in rebellion.  This act of love and grace has replaced mourning with joy that is unending. I must continue to remember and not let the cares of this world choke out that truth. 

Make it a part of your daily routine to spend a few minutes remembering your life before your relationship with God through Christ.  Recall the feeling of being freed from your sins and rejoice in His lovingkindness. Review all the times Your Heavenly Father has given you hope and answered your prayers. For the day that awaits you will seek to steal that joy. 

 May your joy in Christ be firmly planted in the depths of your heart producing a beautiful tree of contentment that outlasts any storm!

#truthtalk4life #knowlivespeaktruthinlove

@brianfriedl

]]> 1048 Joy Even During War https://brianfriedl.com/joy-even-during-war/ Mon, 09 Jan 2017 11:21:29 +0000 http://brianfriedl.com/joy-even-during-war/
Why is life so hard? Because we are in the midst of war! There is an unrelenting spiritual enemy plotting and scheming to steal, kill, and destroy every good gift from Our Heavenly Father. 
It is easy to lose heart and focus when life gets difficult and to look at your circumstances and be downcast.  This is because we have a tendency to look at the work of the enemy rather than the work of our Savior Jesus Christ.  When our eyes are fixed appropriately, we have hope, joy, and contentment.  The alternative is hopelessness, despair, and discontent. 
Remember Jesus’ FINISHED work at the cross secured our spiritual freedom for all eternity. In the physical realm we are walking in that truth day by day and one day we will fully experience that freedom. We have great hope in Him.  He is our joy and our stregnth. His work brings us joy forevermore!
Please pray with me today  over our eyes and focus. That they may be firmly fixed on Jesus, unchanged by our circumstances. May the hope of Jesus flood iur hearts today and overwhelm us with peace that passes all understanding. May our hearts be filled with joy and gratitude that abound and overflow. The Spirit of God will comfort us and bring many to Christ. 

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@brianfriedl 
Note: All Bible quotes are taken from the New American Standard Bible offered by youversion.com unless otherwise stated.

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