Too Busy Enjoying My Blessings to Worry.

Ecclesiastes is one of the sixty-six books of the Bible and probably one of the ones most people read and don’t think much about After they close their Bibles. As I did my Bible reading for the day I was reading in Ecclesiastes, and I found so practical words of wisdom that I wanted to pass on to you. What stood out to me in the book of Ecclesiastes was the call for balance in our lives. There is a time and place for everything (Ecc 3:1). God gives both good and bad (or allows the bad to take place) for both the righteous and unrighteous, but in the end, those who follow the Lord are the ones who reap the reward.

The keys to living a life of balance that reaps rewards are to enjoy the gifts from God, rest in contentment, and prayer, and pursue the work God has set out before us.

Enjoying the good gifts God gives.

(James 1:17)

Our experience on this earth is unique. After we die, we, as believers, will move on to glory, with Christ Jesus, and all the things of the earth will eventually pass away. We will live on in a new experience, with resurrected bodies, in a new heaven and earth (revelation 21:1)

While we are on this earth, God has given us things in this life that we enjoy and get pleasure from. We should enjoy the good gifts from God while we have them on earth (James 1:17). Due to sin, we can be assured that the good times won’t always last.

When we have a balanced and Biblical view of life, we can see that God brings good things, and allows bad things to help us grow and refine us (Ecc 7:14). Enjoying the good times helps us hold on to the hope in the bad moments. Good memories remind us of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and love while we are going through the refining times in our lives.

We should celebrate the good moments and give thanks always, not only because this is what God deserves but also to help our own souls remember God’s goodness and strengthen our grateful hearts when suffering comes along.

Contentment is born from a grateful heart

Emily BYbee

Rest in contentment

(Ecclesiastes 5:19-20, 7:13)

Contentment is born from a grateful heart. One who understands that God is in control of all things and is thankful for the many blessings He bestows on us daily, such as the gift of life and redemption through Christ.

To have a balanced view of life we must learn to be content with where we are (Ecc 5:19-20, 7:13). Like Paul in Silas in prison, you may not love where you are in life right now, and that is okay, but you don’t have to let your disappointment rule over you and suck the enjoyment out of life. Contentment is more than being happy. It is a peace of mind, more of a state of being, and less of a fickle emotion. Contentment is counting our blessings and focusing on them, instead of counting the ways we are miserable.

When I am having a particularly rough day, struggling to get through my to-do list, or feeling disappointed about a situation, I start counting my blessings out loud. At first, the list sounds cliché, but I am thankful for a roof or a toothbrush. As I list the mundane things, I am thankful for, my attitude begins to change. As I express my gratitude contentment takes the place of my disappointment and weariness.

Growing in relationship, through humble prayer.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-19)

No matter how bad the day is when I begin to count my blessings things begin to change. At first, the change is in my heart. As my heart changes so does the way I react to the situations going on around me. As I react in a godlier manner, I see the hearts of others soft as well. That is the power of God’s spirit through our thankfulness.

Counting my blessings allows me to see exactly how much God has done for me and remember that He will continue to do so because I know that God is everlasting, the same today, tomorrow, and yesterday (Isaiah 40:28). I can trust Him to do what He has always done for me, supply a way forward, closer to Him.

Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.

(1Th 5:16-18)

In Thessalonians, we are told to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and be thankful in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Thankfulness is the beginning of contentment. Contentment is the beginning of peace. When we are at peace we are not thinking or worrying about the things that are not going right, we can support a balanced view of our lives and situations when we are content even in unpleasant circumstances.

Pursuing the Path Before us.

Ecclesiastes 5:19-10

Finally, Ecclesiastes tells us that when a person is content and working hard for the Lord, they will be so busy enjoying life that they will not have time to look back at the past (Ecc 5:20). This passage really hit me as incredibly relatable in my own life.

The times in life that I am busy doing things for the Lord, whether volunteering, taking care of a friend, or loving my family, I find that I am happier, more content, and too busy to worry about what has happened even yesterday.

If we are doing what the Lord has called us to, following the passions He’s put in our hearts, and are content with where He has placed us then we will be too busy to be worried, ashamed, or discontent.

Application

• As you think about contentment and the blessings in your life, I encourage you to write them down and keep track of them so you can always come back and review them if you need a reminder of things you are thankful for.

• Seek the Lord as to what work he has for you.  As we give of ourselves to others and pursue the work that God has called us to we will find more contentment and reasons to be grateful increasing the joy and peace we see in our lives, bringing balance.

• Take a few minutes each day and just rest in contentment with the Lord. For me, this looks like finding a quiet place and sitting and just thinking about what the Lord has done and is doing.  I look for ways that God is using my current situation to refine me or help me grow in a new way.

• Remember to take to enjoy the blessings God has for you. Do not make yourself so busy that by doing that you can’t appreciate what God has already done and all he has given.

Summary

Balance is important to a healthy life and therefore it is important to God. For we are the temple of God, and we must take care of His temple, and balance in our lives is one of the ways we can do that.

To have balance in our lives we must have a perspective of gratitude, always looking for the blessings God has given us. We can cultivate contentment from a grateful heart, always praying and thanking God for all He has done in our lives. Those who are content where God has placed them and keep busy with the work the Lord has laid out for them find that they are too busy enjoying God’s goodness to be worried, which always makes our thoughts clearer and more balanced.

This week I hope that you take time to reflect on the blessing God has brought into your life and work to cultivate contentment in your heart and life. I have found that the simple act of voicing my gratitude has changed my heart, mind, and life in ways I never thought.

Join in the conversation below in the comments about your journey with finding balance in your personal walk or feel free to drop me an email at emilyb@moreofjesuspleas.com. Go in peace my friends until next time, may God richly bless your lives and fill you with His peace knowledge, and understanding as you grow in Him.