Not even the weather!

When we are thankful, we cannot help but be content. A thankful heart, is invariably a peaceful, contented heart. And the apostle Paul makes it clear that we are not born contented; we must cultivate that thankful, contented heart. And we do it one choice, one attitude at a time. I was just looking back over Philippians--honestly, I really do think it is my favorite book in the Bible--and was just struck anew by how constantly and consistently he talks about rejoicing and thankfulness and contentedness in it... while sitting in prison, mind you. We just tend to forget that so easily. "Well," we think to ourselves, "if you knew what I was having to go through, the people I have to deal with, the pain I am enduring, the struggles I am confronting..." But Paul wrote this epistle of joy while imprisoned by the Romans, unsure of his fate, unsure of the impact of his ministry, unsure of his health (remember that thorn in the flesh?), unsure of all his friends. What on earth is our excuse?

I have always loved a wonderful passage from the writings of E.B. Pusey, an English churchman and theologian from the mid 1800's. These are his "five suggestions regarding the acquisition of contentment":

1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even the weather.

2. Never picture thyself under any circumstances in which thou are not.

3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another.

4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was, or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself.

5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that is is God's, not thine. The heaviest part of the sorrow often is to look forward to it. "The Lord will provide."

Wow, I just think that needs no comment! So profound, and if we would heed and follow his suggestions, what contented, thankful hearts we would possess! Not to mention, what a dramatic contrast to the world we would provide. As Paul commands us "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe..." (Phil.2:14-15) If we refuse to complain, we will shine in this dark world, no doubt about it. And we will find ourselves a lot more joyful and more fun to be around to boot! When I reread this passage, I couldn't help but think about teenagers (and some I happen to know quite well). But the thing is, these verses apply to me and to you as well, not just to that curmudgeonly neighbor or that irritable teen or that grumpy driver who won't let you in, or that contrary person who always seems to get under your skin and drive you crazy.

So let's try to go for it--even just for a day--and see what happens. Refuse to complain about anything, even the weather (or the traffic or the political situation or the aches and pains of aging, or the laundry or the mess around your house that no one seems interesting in cleaning up but you... O dear, was that a complaint?!) Thank You Lord for this day, for this day's weather and this day's challenges and joys. You are sovereign over it all, and You "will provide" whatever we, or our loved ones, need this day. Might we live this day You have given us without complaint of any kind and with thankful, contented hearts so that You will be glorified. So to You be the glory.