Be Happy in the Now -- the Secret of Contentment

Cheerful daffodils courtesy of Eileen DeCamp 

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

 Years ago during a difficult time in my life, I received a greeting card with the following message:

I wish our lives were like VCRs.  We could rewind the good parts and fast forward the bad.

I smiled when I read that message then and again the other day when I found it while cleaning out a drawer.

And the fact is, we are like that.  We often wish that we could go back and replay the good parts, the good years, the joyful flourishing seasons of our lives.  Who wouldn't want to fast forward the more trying times?  To some extent, our thoughts and memories can take us anywhere we want to go.  But, in reality, it's a good thing we don't have the ability to rewind and fast forward our lives.  We would totally miss out on what God has for us today.

Focusing on what we no longer have rather than being grateful for our blessings today is a source of much discontentment.  When you reach a point in your life when so many milestones and major life accomplishments and joys have already passed, or when you go through the unease of life transitions, it's natural to long for "the good old days" or for some special future event.  It’s a strategy to take the focus off the here and now.

The apostle Paul wanted us to be happy in the now and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. 

For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.  Philippians 4:11b (RSV) 

There is great gain in godliness with contentment.  1 Timothy 6:6 (RSV)

The older I get, the more I appreciate the serenity prayer’s sweet summation of contentment.  I want to share it with you.  (I found this picture on Google images.)

Thank you all so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  And thank you Carol Heilman for being my guest last week and giving away a copy of your novel,  Agnes Hopper Shakes Up Sweetbriar.  Carol and I appreciate all your kind words.  Congratulations to Betsy Herman who is the winner of the drawing.  Be looking for your copy in the mail.  

P. S.  My daffodils are blooming!  That always makes me happy.  Blessings!