Discontent and Gratitude - Part III

To close this set of posts, Julie Lowe recommends two additional ways that we can foster a sense of gratitude in ourselves and in exhortation to others.

Expression. "Give voice to what is good and lovely in your life. Remind yourself and speak it out loud to others. Write it down; thank someone. The more we...express appreciation and gratitude, the more it takes root and deepens....[and] see what is good and... outwardly name it."

Service. "There is immense benefit to focusing on the needs of others. We all need to see the world outside of ourselves—a world that needs our care. To find satisfaction in caring well for others is deeply rewarding. It is loving others in ways that image Christ and makes him known. There are multitudes of ways to serve. To bring gifts, offer your time, or engage in acts of service (such as babysitting, yard work, an unexpected meal) to the disabled, elderly, disadvantaged, lonely, homeless, or overwhelmed parent serves Christ but also generates gratitude for what you already have. An awareness that others live with far less materially, and sometimes with far more suffering, brings greater perspective and remembering of what we do have."

If discontent starts to settle into your life, repent, come back to these posts, and remind yourself of how to be thankful to God for his care and provisions in your life.

Discontent and Gratitude - Part II

This post is a continuation from Julie Lowes' essay. In some places I added a few words of my own, but most of the post is from her. Here are her recommendations for facilitating gratitude:

Perspective. "Life is about who God is, not what we own. His presence is always the answer to every need, every fear, every suffering. This is true not because it removes the challenges of life or gives us what we want, but because it gives us perspective." When we are tempted to turn to other things to address life's problems and challenges, we are essentially saying, "God is not enough." If we believe that God is not enough, then gratitude slips away and discontent settles in.

Remembering. "[Nurture and practice] a regular ability to look for and notice good things, to value them. Psalm 77:11 is one of a multitude of passages that call us to remember the deeds God has done. The practice of looking for and treasuring the good in everyday life deepens the pleasure in what we already have. It reminds us that God is our provision and has provided for our every need. This kind of gratitude is invaluable.

"Remembering can be done in a variety of ways: lists, journaling, creative expressive exercises, memory boxes, gratitude jars, etc. Gratitude itself is not the end goal, but we aspire to gratitude that points to the Lord, our Provider. He is enough. He is our source of contentment, pleasure, satisfaction. All else is icing on the cake."

Tomorrow, we'll wrap up this series with two more recommendations.

Discontent and Gratitude - Part 1

The next few posts will be on gratitude and how to cultivate within ourselves and our families. Admittedly, I have a hard time expressing gratitude and being content with life. I this series will help me, too. These posts are from an essay by Julie Lowe from CCEF. She sets out with two thoughts:

First, our society cultivates discontentment. Consistently, we hear a message of want. Mass media, advertising, and holiday seasons all capitalize on the misconception of necessity and the hungering for more. There are quite literally thousands of images, commercials, and marketing ploys that are meant to create a sense of need. I “need” this new phone to be satisfied, or this new product to be fulfilled. Advertising develops a feeling of deficiency within us. It seeks to convince us that without the latest beauty product, invention or gadget, we are lacking. In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul rebuffs this message by challenging us to be content in any circumstance—in plenty or in want.

Second, discontentment is easily triggered in us because we have an underlying sense of entitlement. We believe that we are inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. I deserve that new electronic device, or that vacation, or peace and quiet when I come home after working all day. Entitlement justifies whatever self-focused response pours out of my mouth or actions. Entitled desires quickly become demands that excuse putting myself first and the needs of others last (if at all). These things, no matter how much I desire them, are not innate human rights but wants that have risen to a level of necessity in our hearts and minds. In contrast, Scripture tells us that our goal is not to look for what we deserve but to be poured out as an offering to others (Philippians 2:17). We are to “walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Recall yesterday's Bible verse. Putting off discontentment requires us to put others first.