Today’s weather report from heaven: Sunny and bright with an abundance of light, and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Insight: The key to contentment is wanting what you have, being grateful in the moment for what God has already given you, not always striving for what you want or think you need. But we live in an anxiety filled world, where we are constantly bombarded with subliminal messaging that tells us we are not enough. We don;t measure up. We are not as famous as that person, or as good looking as this person, or as wealthy as the man on the Yacht over there. Of course, we never see the real life struggles of those same people that the media tries to portray as “having it all.” Here’s some great perspective from Author Max Lucado in his book “Anxious For Nothing,” that has really helped me with perspective on this and I hope it helps you as well. Lucado says “the widest river on earth is called the If Only. Throngs of people stand on its banks and cast longing eyes over the waters. They desire to cross but can’t seem to find the ferry. They are convinced the “If Only River” separates them from the good life. If only I were thinner, if only I were richer, if only the kids would come, if only the kids would go, if only I could leave home, move home, get married, get divorced. If only my skin were clear of pimples, my calendar free of people, my profession immune to layoffs, then I would have the good life. The If Only River. Are you standing on its shores? Does it seem the good life is always one if only away? One purchase away? One promotion away? One election, transition or romance away? If so, then we’ve traced your anxiety back to one of its sources. You’re in a hurry to cross the River and worried that you never will.Consequently, you work long hours, borrow more money, take on new projects, and pile on more responsibilities. Stress. Debt. Short nights. Long days. All a part of the cost of the ticket to the good life, right?”
I must admit just reading and writing this makes me flooded with many emotions. What Max says has been true of my journey at various stages. It has left me at times exhausted, depressed, unsatisfied and unfulfilled. I have struggled for many years and to some extent still do with the “if only syndrome.” I think it is true that almost all of us probably have. One of the ones that was particularly haunting for me, and a real energy drainer and huge bondage keeper was the “If Only I could go back and do it over again, then I wouldn’t have made that same mistake.” But God has been working with me on this and Scripture is the only source I have found to break the heavy chains of the anxiety and oppression of the If Only River. The truth is the “if only” game is a lie from the pits of hell. It keeps you focused on feelings of lack, instead of gratitude for what you have. There are key thoughts and scriptures we can cling to to help counteract the anxiety filled effects of the If Only River. One of my new favorite scripture’s is Psalm 23:1 It is so simple, yet so profound. It says “The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing.” Because we have Jesus, we have everything we need. The enemy deals in anxiety and lack. God deals in abundance and provision. It may look different from the world’s definition, but it is much more stable and not at all based on external circumstances. It is how Paul “learned to be content whatever the circumstances,” from Philippians 4:11 above. Max Laucado says gratitude is another big key to defusing the anxiety and worry from the If Only River when he says “ Worry refuses to share the heart with gratitude. One heartfelt thank- you will suck the oxygen out of worry’s world.” In other words, be thankful for what you do have in your life, however small it may seem, and focus on that. That little change in focus can make all the difference. I have found that to be true in my life. When I shift my focus from what I think I need, to thanksgiving to God for what I already have, my entire mindset lifts. Also, living in the present of each moment, really abiding in Christ, brings great joy and clarity. He really does provide us with all we need, but we need to turn off and tune out all the noise and distractions that are all around us. Living in the future makes us anxious and the past makes us regretful, so the present is a gift. Wanting what we have, instead of always worrying about what we don’t have or think we need, will lead us to a glorious feeling of contentment. There is no magic potion that will come along and make all of our problems go away that will give us that nirvana we seek. The If Only River is a great deception brought on by the devil to keep us riddled with anxiety. The truth is no amount of money, power or prestige will ever satisfy. We think it will but once we get there, we find we instantly become anxious about either keeping what we acquired or we get desires for even more. That is a treacherous treadmill. Only living in, for and through Jesus can give us the contentment we seek. The if Only River waters are deadly, and have enveloped many anxious souls with false promises and deception of the good life. Max Lucado instead says “God’s anxiety therapy includes a large, delightful dollop of gratitude. Gratitude lifts us off the riverbank of If Only and escorts us into the fertile valley of Already.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for what you have already given us in Your Son Jesus and all the many blessings He brings. Help us to seek contentment in You, in things which are stable and will never pass away rather than in the unstable things of the If Only River. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen
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