Wants. Needs. Gotta have ‘ems.
I have ‘want’ lists in my head. Is there something you want? Perhaps a better job, or a bigger home, a spouse? Some thing you feel would improve your life. Make life ‘better’.
“The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.”
– Psalm 23:1
I was stumped when I first noticed the words: “I shall not want”. Not want? Does not compute!
I want all the time. Daily. Well, more like, hourly. I have a long list in my mind of improvements to make.
As Americans, I believe we are taught to continually improve our lives, get more. Better ourselves.
More education. More friends. More house.
Even with our health, we seemed surprised by what could be considered a natural decline in health as we age. We don’t understand functional decline.
We expect more. We expect improvement. We expect longevity.
We grumble when our bodies slow down, or our body parts shift in position. We wonder, what went wrong? We spend millions of dollars trying to improve our function. Make hair grow where hair is receding. Make wrinkles disappear, frown lines be gone. We plump up sagging facial lines, then we thin down plumping waistlines.
Enhancing. Improving. Bettering ourselves.
“Be content with such things as you have.
For He Himself has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.
– Hebrews 13:5
Be content. Really?
Not wanting? Oops, again.
The second part of the verse gives us the parameters for the content: “with such things as you have”.
‘As is’. Be content with your life, your stuff, as is. No changes necessary.
This is so counter intuitive to my natural way of thinking. I am always trying to improve things, better myself. Micromanage my life into better circumstances.
How can I be free of ‘the wants’?
Mindsets.
The true challenge in life. To be right minded, and I’m not talking political affiliations, I’m speaking of life mindedness. Ways of thoughts, patterns of thinking that line up with God’s thoughts. I believe we are a wee bit off center, perhaps self centered would be an accurate description.
We need new mindsets, transformed minds, redeemed thoughts.
Often my goal in life is to have a problem free life. An easy life.
I suggest we ‘reset’ our focus. Perhaps our mindset is a bit warped. Unrealistic. God calls us to a new mindset- a mental detour – a new road to travel.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
– Colossians 3:2
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
– Philippians 4:8
[tweetthis display_mode=”box”]We refer to our thoughts as our ‘thought life’ – I wonder how much of our thinking brings life?[/tweetthis]
I believe our thoughts need redeeming.
I recently learned that repenting means to ‘change your way of thinking’.
Repenting, our act of asking God for forgiveness and receiving His grace and forgiveness makes new mindsets possible. Our tiny piece of the work, I believe, involves the ‘Stop’ button in our mind. Stopping the repeated thoughts that weigh us down with guilt, with shame, with comparison, with unrealistic wants.
Invite God ‘in’ to lead us into healthy thinking.
“The fear of the Lord leads to life,
Then one rests content.. .Untouched by troubles.”
– Proverbs 19:23
**Lord, Forgive us our discontent, our many wants. Lead us into right thinking. Redeem our thoughts and align them with Yours. Amen.
Linking up with the lovely ladies at: Holley’s CoffeeformyHeart, Jennifer’s TellHisStory, & Lyli’s ThoughtProvokingThursdays, MomentsofHope, Deb’s Faith’nFriends
Hi Sandra,
How easy it is to get into that cycle of living for the next want. Although it is good to want to better ourselves in living our lives for Christ, we cannot get trapped in the constant cycle of want. It leaves us in a place of never living in thankfulness! A tough concept to balance! I love what you encouraged us with here today and love the idea of that STOP button in my mind!
Thank you so much for sharing this hope with us at #MomentsofHope!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori – Thanks for coming by and for your wise perspective on getting caught in the ‘cycle of want’, rather than a thankful mindset. The life of faith involves some tension and balancing. Blessing to you today!
I struggle with this reality too. It seems so human to want. Jesus provides even as I want more. He is so gracious and loving, despite my shortcomings. thanks for sharing.
Hi Mary! The whole issue of wants is challenging, but as you mentioned, Jesus graciously and abundantly provides. He gives ‘immeasurably more’, I just need to be careful what scale I’m measuring on. Bless you today!
Hi Sandra, contentment is not what is preached these days. ..quite sadly. There is greed everywhere and escaping what the world chases is only possible when we seek God.
I love this!
So good connecting with you today. 👭
Blessings to you
Ifeoma – I enjoyed our connecting today! I appreciate your thoughtful response! Bless you!
This was a thought provoking post. Well said. It’s counter to our culture to not be striving, always, for more of what the world has to offer. You’re right, it takes a transformed mind in order to fix our eyes on what has eternal value. Thank you for sharing these encouraging words.
Hi Dawn! Thanks for the visit and for your comments! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Hello Neighbor (from #CoffeeForYourHeart)!
I needed this today, right now, in this very moment. Thanks for reminding us all of what God’s word says. You write so clearly – love it!!! Blessings to you, will look forward to reading more here.
I’m so glad you were encouraged. This message is one I tell myself repeatedly, as I struggle with wanting ‘more’ in many areas of life (even writing!). God bless you today! Glad we connected.
I’ve never thought of repenting as a form of helping me want less…but I suppose if we look as it as coveting something that someone else has it’s true. It’s easy to want when we are given such an “easy” life compared to some. My family decided to change our course a few years back and downsize our life a bit. I became a stay at home mom and we went down to a single income for us and our four kids. There are days I feel so blessed and enriched, yet there are days that I continue to want the things of my former life. While God is redeeming those thoughts and creating a new heart in me, it doesn’t happen overnight. There are always struggles and I am grateful – that at the end of the day – there is grace for that. Beautiful words today, friend!
I’m with you in needing grace at the end of every day – I’m needing the hourly infusion dose! Glad we connected today – blessings!