Honestly, this year has been interesting, to say the least. From the shutdown of society, as we know it, the increase in sickness & death, political bickering, and racial tension, it seems like there is no end in sight.
However, we have reached a point in the holidays that are supposed to be cheerful and a time for gathering with your family. Unfortunately, our current circumstances don’t allow much of the latter half. It was only right that I offer some support on staying content this holiday season.
The holiday season has always been a place of joy and hope for me. I remember times with my family where we just laugh and smile, watching each other light up when they open a gift or see their favorite family member come into the house. Holidays are a time of getting together with people you don’t normally see during the year. It can also be a time of great stress and anxiety for some. Whether the situation, it is important not to fall into the side of seasonal depression, winter blues, and disengagement when it counts the most.
With feelings of melancholy, lacking a desire to celebrate, I knew it was time to reconnect to my source and get the remedy I need to overcome this gloom over my favorite time of the year. So I opened my bible and began to study the topic of contentment.
Content Unplugged
Being content is more than being happy and unbothered all time. Contentment stems from a heart postured toward gratitude and counting blessings. Being content is an attitude that goes against the grain of our society that has shaped up into individuals always searching for the next thing.
Contentment can seem so hard to come by.
How often have you felt discontent in the last year?
What do you feel that you lack in this season?
Have you considered all the things that are going well in your life right now?
What have you done to try to overcome the obstacle of discontentment?
These are some questions to ask yourself as we walk through scriptures and ways to stay content in a season that can cause you to take for granted the many blessings before you.
“To be content doesn’t mean you don’t desire more, it means you’re thankful for what you have and patient for what’s to come.” Tony Gaskins
Why is being content so important right now?
- Contentment allows us to see the blessings in what we already have.
It allows us to take our eyes off of what should have been in the past and what could happen in the future. It encourages us to stay focused on the present and show gratitude for the things that we already have inherited.
- Content allows us to go through life focused on what God has for us and not someone else.
We can finally have the right posture and heart attitude to seek the will of God for our lives. We can point our view towards the one who created our life and not toward the design of another person. As single moms, we find ourselves trying to live in an idea that was not created for us or through the life of other moms.
- Brings joy to the present day and helps us reduce our worry about the past and the future.
Like I said before, less time in the past and future allows us to be more in tune with our present emotional state and create the best emotional experience for our current circumstances. I know this is one area that I have been working on the most because your emotional health is so important for your overall health. When my emotions are unregulated due to our own stepping in and out of reality, it affects our physical health as well as relationships with others.
” Patience is the key to contentment.” – Prophet Muhammad
What causes us to be discontent?
- Comparison Trap
- Over idolization of the future
- Frustrations with Past
How can I work on being more content?
Choose to be grateful for what you do have.
We all have a choice. God gives a free will as His creation. We have the power to choose our own paths and destiny through the choices we make. That is why decision making is such an important area of growth as a single mom because the direction you go will either prolong your journey or move you forward into the life you desire.
Read and meditate in the Word.
I won’t say too much because we all know the importance of getting into God’s word. In Joshua 1, we are told to meditate on the Word day and night. However, there is something about our flesh that doesn’t allow us to do the things we need and want to do as said by Apostle Paul in Romans 7.
Remove those things that hinder you.
If you are finding it hard to be content this year, then it’s time to start removing the things that have limited you. Whether it’s confronting lies about how life should be, reducing your time on social media, or eliminating friends who only see the negativity in the world, something has to change.
Express your thankfulness for others.
Sometimes you have to get outside yourself to see everything around you. Doing things for others and loving one other is a sure way to bring joy in your life that helps with fostering contentment in your daily walk.
Have goals but don’t let the goals have you.
Understand that goals are an important part of growth and life in general, but they don’t define you. If you fall short, that is not a right of passage to sit in discontent. Acknowledge the progress that has already been made, big or small. But don’t let your not meeting goals make you discontent.
” When I started counting my blessings, my life turned around.” Willie Nelson
Below I share 10 scriptures that helped me be more content and change my perspective on what I have in life.
10 Scriptures on Being Content
- ‘Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.’ 1 Timothy 6:6-8
- ‘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
- ‘Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.’ Psalms 131:2
- ‘“If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.’ Job 36:11
- ‘A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.’ Proverbs 14:30
- ‘Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.’ Psalms 34:10
- ‘Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.’ Ecclesiastes 1:8
- ‘Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.’ Romans 15:4
- ‘Now the people became like those who complain and whine about their hardships, and the Lord heard it; and when the Lord heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and devoured those in the outlying parts of the camp. ‘ Numbers 11:1
All in all,
Being content is more than putting on a happy smiling face. It is all about being okay whether you do well or not, have your friends/family around or living in quarantine, and choosing to see the good all around you. Being content this holiday season is good for you but essential for the well-being of life and your children.
Having trouble staying content? Feeling frustrated by your desire to accomplish your goals?
Book a Breakthrough Chat with me: HERE You’ll be able to ask your questions and express your needs.
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I hope this post will bless at least one mama!
