The Rest of Your Story 27: How do you guard your heart?

I tend to embarass myself when I speak by doing things like, oh, walking into the men's room or breaking water jugs. Yes, ma'am.

So when I showed up to speak at a conference for the wives of worship leaders yesterday, I vowed I would change my crazy ways.

And I felt quite calm until realizing the other speaker was Jackie Kendall, the best-selling author of Lady in Waiting.

Then I began to quietly hyperventilate because I LOVE her. I did gather my wits long enough to take in her brilliant and hilarious talk. One insight she shared smacked me across the forehead like a wet noodle. Schloop!

Jackie said part of the Greek word for contentment means "to raise a wall against." A Scripture that has been on my heart came instantly to mind... 

"Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

Contentment isn't my strong suit. Not my strong suit, dress, skirt, shirt, or tie. I have high expectations. I whine. I've got a stack of "if only's" a mile high.

I viewed contentment as a barrier...something that could block my dreams.

But suddenly I saw it as just the opposite...protection for my heart.

Contentment doesn't mean faking it, being a doormat, or becoming passive. It doesn't mean we don't dream or grow. 

Instead it simply means our hearts choose to be satisfied with what God gives us today. Then we partner with Him to move toward what He has for us tomorrow.

(By the way, I'm really glad the Apostle Paul said, "I have learned to be content in all things" because y'all, it's going to take this girl some practice.)

So how does this relate to our stories?

"Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (aka the source of your story)."

Like the lock on a little-girl diary, contentment keeps safe what matters most.

p.s. I did not walk into the men's restroom this time. But right smack in the middle of my talk, in front of Jackie and everybody, I did say I hoped Jesus would say "y'all" when we got to heaven. What?!? You can't take me anywhere.

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TODAY'S QUESTION: Am I the only one who struggles with contentment? What helps?

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Comments

[Dee]

No girl, you are not the only one who struggles with contentment. I sometimes feel it, but then it all drains away—usually when I’m tired—or when I feel small next to someone else I feel is more accomplished. Then I have to pray and listen to hear what I need. That’s when I’m reminded of how far I have come, how I’ve grown and the lives I’ve touched that would not have been touched had I not been there. Also, when I pray, I see how I can improve—how I can use my gifts—that I even have gifts (yes, I can get that low). The Holy Spirit encourages me. Reading the Bible helps—Psalms especially—or just asking God to help me find a verse that will uplift me. Reading books of encouragement and instruction help also—and nice blogs like this one. Sharing time with family and friends helps again. Taking classes and looking for more opportunities to serve and grow—I feel I have to stay actively in touch with the world in some way giving what I have to give.

[Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms]

Thank you, Holley, for sharing your weaknesses with us. You are so good at keepin' it real. :)

I'm sure more of us suffer from discontent than don't! While I'm not where I want to be in this area, I'm thankful that I'm not where I used to be. What helps me is remembering that God opens and closes doors according to what is best for His plan for my life. Each path He leads me on is fragrant with His loving kindness (Psalm 25:10). I find it easier to feel content when I know that as long as I'm walking in His will, the road is fragrant and what is best for me (even if I don't see how.)

Anyway, not revolutionary stuff, but it does help me! :)

[Becky]

Oh, Holley, I struggle with contentment a great deal and I beat myself up because I do. I wonder how I can be this way when, in reality, I trust God. The two don't go together in my mind. I also wish I was better at bringing the Bible verses and Bible promises to mind that would help when I start to feel self-pity or begin to whine.

I loved what you wrote here: "Instead it simply means our hearts choose to be satisfied with what God gives us today. Then we partner with Him to move toward what He has for us tomorrow." I'll have to find someplace to jot that down to remind me. I'm afraid I whine enough that I might need to re-read it daily!

And you ladies, who posted above me -- I love what you've written, too. That's all the kind of stuff that can help me. :)

I do know better. I think I'm like you, Holley. I just need more practice. Thank you for pointing out that even the Apostle Paul said he LEARNED to be content. I pray that I can, too.

Blessings, y'all! :)

[Beth]

I share with the ladies who wrote before me also. I struggle with being content. When I see what God has for me, I feel so ungrateful. I don't need to compare myself to others or my life. I love the song that says "I know my story is part of His plan" and that is so true "My Story". I too know and have seen God open and close doors in my life all for His love for me. I have seen where I have been and where I could have ended up if it weren't for Him. Some very difficult times in my youth. He taught me to love to laugh and the kids and I can make laughter out of a wrong turn that sends us 2 hours out of our way. But there's times I have been so ashamed of what has made me discontent in front of my husband and our teen children. I want to be a good example and seems discontentment can really knock me off balance. My husband struggles with a little depression, so it's hard not to let it affect me. When I take my eyes off what is bothering me and place them on Him..... it's amazing the changes that take place in me immediately. Wish I would learn to do it faster. Like Holley.....I think I need more practice!! The study of Paul helped me get through some difficult times. I suggest his story to anyone of you who are struggling. It was such a Blessing.Keep our eyes on Him!!

[Hannah]

Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable! I for one struggle with being content quite often. Slash every day. I wake up, and usually my first thought is discontent. I'm not content with how cold my house is. I'm not content with the fact that I have to wake up and get going. It is embarrassing, really. One thing that has really encouraged me and helped me is Scripture. Reading the same passage you mentioned when Paul talks about being content in all things - whew. That's a doozy. I wonder how I'll possibly get to that point. But that's the beauty of it. God doesn't expect us to "get to that point" today. Sometimes I get discontented about how much progress I'm making in my relationship with God. Then I am totally convicted about the fact that I'm viewing it as a check list. Something that must be done just to get done. I lose sight of the fact that I LOVE HIM. HE LOVES ME. The simple fact that He loves me is a reminder that I can be content in all things because His grace promises to carry me through and it is really the only thing I need. Thank you for being my reminder this morning. I was about to whine about walking out in the cold. (Seriously. I was.) I guess we're all just beautiful works in progress. Thank you again for sharing your heart, girl. Blessings to you, sister!!

[Alex]

You are definitely not alone. I've finally gotten to a place in my life where I am content 9/10 of the time, no matter what. I'm struggling to find a full-time job and I just moved away from the town where I went to college and felt comfortable.. but was not growing. It's a little scary. And I have less money than I've ever had.. but strangely, I'm more content than ever. Funny how God doesn't need money to cover my needs. Thanks for sharing!

[Stacey]

This verse:

Psalm 90: 12,14

My new challenge!

Stacey

[Margie McInroe]

I think we all fight with contentment, that wall sometimes is insurmountable and yet other times it is a place to sit and reflect. For me it helps to tell myself all the ways I am content, and then I can "feel it" God has been showing this to me with my little ones, we get so stressed out on the little things and in a flash they can make me smile and think "Wow" I have it made! Goes back to "Be still and know that I am God"

[Cari]

I definitely struggle with contentment. I always look at it as something you FIND...I am just recently realizing that content is really something you ARE. The looking for it negates the actual experiencing it.

What helps me is staying aware and present in the moment. When I start to "strive" for or "look" for contentment, I remind myself that being content is a way of being...it is not something that I can buy or get, because God has already provided us with all we need.

[Cindy Lou]

Several years ago, I noticed that I was struggling with this too. I realized that the 10th commandment is one that is commonly ignored by our modern American society. We see something or an ad for something and we just 'gotta have it'. I started being aware of what things I was coveting and how those desires were squashing my desire for God. I still struggle with this from time to time. I am thankful that Jesus is right there willing to fill the voids in my life and make me to feel content with Him.

~Cindy Lou~