Contentment Is Harder Than It Sounds - Martin Wiles

So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Timothy 6:8 NLT

I carried them out by the handfuls—a seemingly endless task. Contentment is harder than it sounds.

Our move was complete—except for moving our clothes. Although my wife doesn’t buy fancy clothes—nor buy them from expensive stores—she loves new outfits … or at least ones new to her. Her closet brimmed with pants, dresses, and blouses.

Of course, my closet didn’t look much better. The difference is that I don’t buy new clothes. I don’t have to because my wife does. By the time I finished emptying my closet, one car was full. Then I started on my wife’s. This filled the second car and taxed my nerves.

This is ridiculous, I thought. We both have enough clothes to wear for two months without washing. I thought of the old days when houses didn’t have closets. No need for them. Over time, closets were added, but they were small and dark. Not much to put in there. People had one or two Sunday go-to-meeting outfits, and maybe a few pairs of work pants and shirts. And in developing or impoverished countries, this is still the case.

Paul’s instructions to young Timothy were for him to be content with food and clothing. I suppose we should throw shelter in the mix. Perhaps Paul takes for granted that we’re smart enough to know we need protection from the elements. But how much clothing or food?

When I was a teenager, contentment meant name-brand jeans—Levi’s. It also entailed a certain brand of tennis shoes—Converse. And when it came to a bicycle, it had to have high handlebars and a banana seat. Later, my contentment was measured by larger things with higher price tags. I’m certainly not high maintenance, but neither am I satisfied with a Spam sandwich every night and two pairs of clothes.

But true contentment isn’t measured by things—or even power, notoriety, or recognition. Contentment is found in a restored relationship with the Creator, followed by trusting him to meet all our needs, not wants. Since God is all-knowing, he knows what we need—along with how much of it. We don’t have to have mounds of anything; we do, however, need mounds of his love and mercy.

Find contentment in a close and growing relationship with Christ. Nothing else will satisfy.

Father, may I find joy and satisfaction in my daily walk with you.  

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Lessons from a Dog on a Foot - Martin Wiles

Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. Luke 10:39 NLT

Of all the stores my grandfather delivered ice cream to, the one where the dog sat on my foot was my favorite. Who would have guessed I would learn lessons from a dog on a foot?

Aside from a few chain pharmacies, gas stations, and small-town grocery stores, Mom-and-Pop stores ran the retail world. Small stores owned by local people. Stores where customers could buy a little of anything, including ice cream. And my grandfather was more than happy to supply them with all the ice cream their customers could consume.

As a young boy, I enjoyed traveling from town to town and through the country, helping my grandfather stock these small stores with ice cream novelties. But the one I looked forward to the most was the one where a small dog sat on the customers’ feet.

“Where are we going next?” I’d eagerly ask on the day of the week we worked this store. Finally, my grandfather would say, “To the store where the dog sits on your foot.” As my grandfather took the store owner’s order, the dog walked over and sat on my foot. Why he did, I’m not sure. Perhaps just one of those odd habits some animals pick up as a part of their personality.

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were Jesus’s good friends. Martha was a busy body, wanting everything to be in order. But she was a good hostess. Mary, however, loved to listen to Jesus teach, so she sat at his feet. Martha fussed about it, but Jesus reminded her that Mary had chosen the better thing.

The small dog at the store could have reared up on my leg or sat with his tail wagging, and gotten the same response from me as he did when he sat on my foot. He wanted attention from the store owner’s customers. He obviously loved people and craved petting.

Jesus wants the same from us as he did from Mary. But most of the time, we’re Marthas. We get so wrapped up in daily affairs—good things, mind you—that we forget to sit at Jesus’s feet, enjoy his company, and learn from him. There’s a better way, and Mary and the foot-sitting dog remind us of that. Time spent with the Savior is never wasted. Other things can wait. Listening to him is more important.

Find time daily to sit at the feet of Jesus.

Father, help me slow down so I can spend time sitting at your feet and learning from you.

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The Art of Contentment - Martin Wiles

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:11 NKJV

Four months and several medications later, my wife finally discovered the art of contentment.

A casual walk around a local college’s track with our grandson brought on what she hadn’t been troubled with in quite some time: PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). A visit to the doctor and an EKG revealed numerous PVCs. The doctor issued several options: take medicine, have an ablation, implant a pacemaker, or do nothing and risk weakened heart muscles. We chose medicine, but several months and several medicines later, the doctor informed us the medicine route wasn’t working.

After the four-hour surgical procedure was over, the doctor entered the room. The areas where the PVCs occurred were extensive. He got most of them, but some lay in risky areas. Hopefully, he burned enough to give her relief. As the nurses rolled her back into the room and hooked up the blood pressure and pulse monitors, we anxiously awaited the first reading. Contentment came when we saw the first reading. Blood pressure was good, and her pulse rose to a higher range. 

Paul learned the art of contentment over a lifetime of serving Christ. He often endured unpleasant circumstances—some even life-threatening—but as he neared the end of his life, he confessed he had reached his contentment goal.

I can’t say I’ve reached the pinnacle Paul had, but I’m learning. Life experiences continually remind me God has my circumstances under control. I couldn’t fix my wife’s heart problems any more than I could a precarious financial situation. Or a broken relationship. Or an unwanted employment termination. What I can do is trust the One who can.

My wife and I have also learned contentment comes from laughing through difficult times. If we can’t fix them, we might as well laugh at them. Laughter is good medicine and doesn’t diminish our trust in God. Instead, it reflects the joy in our souls and our faith that God will bring good out of all situations.

Take somemeasured steps to help you learn the art of contentment.

Tweetable: Have you learned the art of contentment? 

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Walk-on Wednesday - Living with Contentment - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Walk-on Wednesday. By Hump Day, we are struggling, but we believe a good devotion can strengthen us to finish the week strong. 

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 NLT

Marvin was a discontented kind of guy.

If he didn’t have the latest cell phone, he would immediately purchase it when it came out. Other electronic gadgets intrigued him as well. He always had the latest television, video game, computer, iPad, etc. After two years of owning any vehicle, he was tired of it. Trade in time. Homes didn’t grow on him too long either. He’d never stayed in one long enough to pay off his mortgage. He didn’t fare any better in relationships. He’d been through three marriages, a string of almost marriages, and was presently working on his fourth. No woman seemed to satisfy him for very long. Contentment wasn’t in Marvin’s vocabulary.

Being satisfied with what we have is a tough directive. How can we tune out all those enticements to try this, buy this, rent this, or trade this? If we’re not spending money, then someone wants us to invest it. Money must enter any conversation about contentment because money is what our economy is based on. We can’t pay the doctor with chickens or offer to cut his grass in exchange for an office visit or surgery on our big toe.

Despite money’s prominent place—and society’s attempt to keep us focused on it—we can learn contentment. The saying, “Less is more” provides one key to contentment. We don’t have to heed the common message that only by having more will we be happy. What God has given us, he also wants me to share. And we don’t have to wait until we have an abundance to do so. He can take little and make much. Rather than listening to media sources that remind us how much and what we don’t have, we can focus on being happy with what God has given us. He knows what and how much we can handle responsibly.

Are you content with what God has given you?

Prayer: Father, help us to know the contentment that comes from trusting You fully.

Tweetable: Are you living with contentment? 

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Be Happy with the Happy - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday where we meander back in time to a previously published devotion. 

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15 NLT

Other’s happiness can be the occasion in which selfishness grows.

I read the text: “I just won an iPad.”

My wife was attending a continuing education conference. Several drawings for giveaways peppered the schedule—one of which was for an iPad. And not a cheap one.

When the announcer called the winning ticket, my wife barely looked—having never won anything. That’s when her neighbor said, “They are calling your number.” She had won the iPad.

Loving technology better than she, I hoped her next text would read, “I’ll give it to you. I know how much you’ve wanted one.” But it didn’t. She kept the iPad for herself…and later the grandkids. Instead of rejoicing over her win, I nestled envy in my heart. She had what I wanted.

My selfishness countered my wife’s excitement over her new toy. Why hadn’t this happened to me? I used a computer and other tech tools twice as much as she did. I couldn’t rejoice because the green-eyed monster of envy ate at my heart. She had what I wanted. And although she let me use her toy, it wasn’t mine.

If I’m to rejoice with others who rejoice, I must learn to be happy and content with what God gives me, as well as when He gives it. He knows what I can handle before pride and selfishness creep in. Someone will always have more than I do, but if I have what God desires me to have, that’s all I need.

Rather than envying what others have—whether possessions or opportunities—we need to rejoice over what God is doing in other’s lives. He gives what aligns with His plans for their life, and He does the same for us.

A part of interacting with others also includes weeping when they weep. Entering their circumstances. Attempting to feel what they’re feeling. Letting their hurts become mine. When I do this, I am loving my neighbor as I do myself.

What attitude do you need to change so you can rejoice with those who rejoice?

Prayer: God of love and light, teach us to rejoice with others and to be content with what You entrust to us.

Tweetable: What keeps you from rejoicing with others? 

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Joy in the Body - Martin Wiles

For the joy of the Lord is your strength! Nehemiah 8:10 NLT

Buffed bodies and bragging rights. But not me.

The bragging started around middle school. I heard the remarks from male classmates: “I can bench press ….” Or, “I can leg lift …” Or I can squat with ….” I wasn’t one of the braggers. They either played sports—and were trying to build their muscles—or attempted to make an impression on some of the popular girls.

Me? I had no interest in sports. For one thing, I was as skinny as a rail. I could have buffed and toned it and been lean and mean, but I still wouldn’t have made the team. And my interest in girls hadn’t started yet. Nor were they interested in skinny boys—who, by the way, were shy also.

Although only a middle schooler, my joy came not from sports or girls but from another place: my relationship with the Lord. Dad and Mom taught me the need of attending to my relationship with God . . . making Him happy. I attempted this through spiritual disciplines that to me carried more importance than anything else. As a result, the girls ignored me and most of the boys made fun of me. But my joy remained.

As Ezra the priest, Nehemiah the governor, and the Levites read and interpreted God’s Word for the people, the people wept. They realized how far they had fallen below God’s standards. But Nehemiah encouraged them. God would forgive their sins. They needed to find their joy in serving the Lord.

I could have played sports, lifted weights, and served the Lord at the same time. Sports and weightlifting weren’t sinful. I decided, however, to find my joy in spiritual pursuits.

Weeping over sin almost seems a lost art. I’d rather use another word that’s less offensive and picture God as a God who overlooks sins. Sin offends God, but God also forgives when asked. When my slate is clean, I find joy by serving the Lord. Doing so changes my priority list. I don’t have to own certain things to find happiness—which is only momentary. Joy lingers no matter what I have and regardless of my circumstances.

Joy is the overflow of having received Jesus—along with His continual presence—and of living obediently to His principles.

Don’t look for joy anywhere else other than in your relationship with God.

Tell us how you handle self-esteem issues. 

Tweetable: Are you satisfied with your body?

Prayer: Father, may the joy we experience be found in our relationship with You.

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Happy Is Okay - Martin Wiles

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Psalm 96:1 NLT

“Many of you walk around, looking as if you’ve been baptized in pickle juice.”

Dad wasn’t always the most positive person when he preached. The above statement evidenced his tendency to major on the negative. I suppose in his many years of ministry, he had witnessed believers who looked as if it Christianity brought misery. Believers consumed with the don’ts more so than the dos. Christians who thought frowns demonstrated signs of holiness.

Somewhat like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. When I read Jesus’ denunciations of them for their hypocritical actions and attitudes, I can’t imagine men who walked around smiling. Frowns and piety were synonyms in their book.

Like Dad, I’ve known quite a few pickle-faced believers—myself included at times. People who seemed to struggle with being a Christian. If following Christ was such a chore, I wondered why they bothered. Rarely did a smile cross their lips at church—or anywhere else I saw them.

Somehow, I don’t picture the psalmist—or Jesus—as men who sauntered around with frowns on their faces. Although I’ve seen it done, singing while frowning seems as if it should be mutually exclusive. How can praise and sadness inhabit the same body at the same time? Not only did the psalmist display joy, but he also wanted the entire world to join him.

I’ve been a Christian for forty-eight years, circulated around many believers, seen Christianity displayed in various ways, and have concluded believers can be happy. In fact, I believe God wants us that way. Sinful living may appear enjoyable—and Satan constantly proposes that idea—but I can live a holy lifestyle and still have fun. I’ve tried it—and it works.

Sin and fun may seem like normal bedfellows, but they are opposites. Jesus enjoyed life. He loved a good party, He loved laughing, and He enjoyed the company of good—and not so good—folks. A fact that drove the pickled-faced religious leaders crazy. But He never sinned while enjoying Himself.

God created us for a relationship with Him—and not a somber one. Putting our eyes on others’ needs instead of our own creates joy. Relishing time spent with Christ through spiritual disciplines gives a base for our joy. And knowing God controls our lives and has a heavenly home waiting for us sustains it.

Don’t worry; be happy. Happy is okay.

Tweetable: Is something stealing your happiness?

Prayer: Father, create in us a spirit of joy so others can see true happiness is only found in a relationship with You. 

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Be Content - Martin Wiles

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. Philippians 4:11 NLT

A simple water show stopped him in his tracks.

Our daughter surprised my wife and me with a vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC. Being the planner that she is, she had every day planned with things our two grandsons would enjoy. 

The day before we came home, we were to visit Broadway on the Beach. Our destination was a dinosaur museum. We watched with delight the smiles on our grandsons’ faces as they watched the mechanical life-sized dinosaurs move about, making the sounds the designers imagined dinosaurs made. 

When our tour was over, we went to a favorite fast-food restaurant where we enjoyed music and singing and dancing by the waiters and waitresses. On the way out of the park, our grandsons’ attention was captured by a small water pad where spouts of water danced about in different shapes. Nothing we had seen thus far held their attention as this. They were content to stand and watch it do its programmed tricks and were sad when we told them it was time to go.

The apostle Paul had it all and he had nothing. From a well-to-do religious leader to a Christian zealot who was hounded by the same type of persons he once was. From death threats to shipwrecks, he had seen it all. But he wasn’t worried or anxious. He had learned what I struggle with: contentment.

While Paul had joy in all circumstances, he wasn’t happy about all circumstances. There is a difference. Happiness is determined by my circumstances or what I have or don’t have. Joy is a state of being.

To have happiness I must have things or my circumstances must always be pleasant. To have joy, I merely need a relationship with Christ. When I have Him, I learn to appreciate every little thing I have. Joy is present in good times and in bad times, in abundant times and in sparse times.

During His earthly life, Jesus had little. He grew up as a carpenter and later wandered from town to town as a traveling preacher, teacher, healer, and friend. He had no place to lay His head. But He was content because He was doing His Father’s will.

Learn to be content by finding joy in your relationship with God. When you do, anything else will be a blessing that brings happiness.

Tweetable: Have you learned the art of contentment?

Prayer: Father, teach us the art of contentment. 

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