If you have not already, read yesterday’s blog…its kind of the part 1 to this.
So, what do I do? Do I keep falling into the trap or is there any other way?
Don’t try to convince yourself or pretend you don’t want whatever it is that you do want. I have tried to fight it head on and just pretend that this feeling of discontentment is not that but it does not work.
In 1 Timothy 6, Paul tells Timothy that those who desire to “live richly” are on a path to destruction. Think about it. If our desire for us is to have more and more “stuff” this appetite will never be satisfied. What would happen to you if you indulged in whatever kind of food you wanted whenever you wanted it. The body will be on a path to destruction. The same is true with what Paul is telling Timothy.
Then he goes on to say “but you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness”
Among other things I take away from this passage, rather than pretending or wishing that you didn’t want the stuff. Harness the energy and pursue righteousness.
The way to deal with this is not to convince yourself you don’t want something, it is to pursue righteousness and those two things are completely different.
There are many ways to pursue this.
When you use what has already been given to you to help meet the needs of others, it is so funny that our desire for shiny and new stuff diminishes. When your attention turns from what you have to what someone else needs this is like kryptonite to discontentment.
Nobody goes on an overseas mission trip and constantly thinks about their car being 2 or 3 years old and how they want a new one. By being aware of others needs your attention that was on discontent has now shifted.
Awareness drives generosity
Generosity bridles discontentment
