Godly Contentment part 2

          Going deeper with  HEAD TO HEART GUIDE 19

These sections go with Godly Contentment (Main Healing Lesson 19) and are included our workbook for personal transformation, "Matters of the Heart."  All 24 lessons will be helpful to the person seeking restoration and freedom and have been posted on this web site. They are available as a complete set in our workbook which can be purchased as a download or ordered through the mail. The lessons are also available on CD and DVD as 24, 1/2 hour teachings. All scriptures are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.
 

Exercise

Write down three "green-eyed" things that have most frequently or powerfully provoked you to envy/jealousy of others, robbing you of your godly contentment. Then pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it was that you really wanted or what it was that you felt so deprived of that you became envious of another’s blessing. Finally, seek the Lord for what it was that you were not trusting about God the Father. He is a perfect Provider, but His ways of providing do not always include giving us what we want, or believe we need, right when we desire to have it.

What I wanted and didn’t get 
What it was that I really needed or was looking for
1) ___________________      __________________________________
2) ___________________      __________________________________
3) ___________________      __________________________________

What each event shows me about ways I am not trusting God to be my perfect Provider
1) ______________________________________________________
2) ______________________________________________________
3) ______________________________________________________
 

Discussion questions

Just for a show of hands: how many in the group were told not to be envious of their brothers or sisters or playmates? How many were shown how not to feel envy? Typically we were given “the law” concerning correct and forbidden behaviors, but few of us were given the saving grace of being shown how to get free of the compelling negative emotions we were told not to express. This often leads to disguised ways of expressing the negative emotion anyway—for as Jesus said, what gets in the heart is the real source of sinful behavior (Mt 15:19; Mk7:21).

1) So, just for grins, what has the group noticed of the disguised (more socially acceptable or just plain sneaky) ways that envy and jealousy still seek to find expression in church or the workplace? What are some of the obvious ways?
2) Now, let’s take these reflections and consider what a child could have been shown or taught that would have helped their heart get free of the influence of envy/jealousy? Consider that if a wise and understanding adult had been with us any time our heart suffered hurt or loss in childhood, we could have actually grown greater trust in God and forgiving love for the people around us—rather than have learned failed ways of coping on our own.
3) What does this show us to do with our hearts now—when envy/jealousy seek to rise?
 

Main points

1) Envy and jealousy are the opposites of godly contentment.
2) Envy and jealousy grow out of coveting, pride and bitterness.
3) Beware of comparison to others—there is no wisdom in it.
4) Our God is a great Provider—He faithfully supplies what we really need.
5) Let the first sign of envy/jealousy cause you to run back to trusting your Father’s faithfulness.
 

Digging deeper

Waiting upon the Lord
Many of us have become so accustomed to “instant gratification” as a way of life in the modern world that we easily overlook the value that the scriptures put upon waiting. Waiting on God is a huge subject in the Bible: it includes active faith, bright hope, lively expectancy, patience and perseverance. Without an ability to wait upon the Lord to make the fullness of His provision manifest, we are a prey to being captured by envy/jealousy over what we don’t have that others do. But with this faith ability in place we are actually told that we can possess our souls by patience (Luke 21:19)—that we can be uplifted, not crushed, by whatever is going on in our lives (see also Psalm 27:14; Psalm 130:6; Micah 7:7). Waiting upon the Lord is the secret to resting in godly contentment, since all good things will be coming your way--in His good time.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31    

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him. Isaiah 64:4 

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:26

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11 

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9
 

Sword and shield

Scriptural examples of envy and jealousy.

• Cain (which means “to get” or covet) was envious of Abel (Genesis 4:3-5).
• Haggar’s conception produced envy in Sarah (Genesis 21:9-11).
• The Philistines envied Isaac for his wealth (Genesis 26:12-16).
• Joseph’s brothers envied him because Jacob favored Joseph (Genesis 37:3-11; Acts 7:9).
• Korah’s rebellion grew out of envy of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-3; Psalm 106:16-18).
• King Saul became envious of David’s successes and favor with the people (1 Samuel 18:8-9).
• Pilate knew that the chief priests delivered Jesus up because of envy (Mark 15:9-10).

God’s antidote for envy and jealousy is contentment in His plans and provision.

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

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Scriptures that remind us that our Father is an excellent Provider.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33

But remember: God’s ways (of providing) are not always what we might expect.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.'  O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? Ezekiel 18:29
 

Prayer focus

There is a great joy in the world of things and the operation of His spiritual gifts, but it is not found in what we can get for ourselves by our own striving, but in what we see the Great God of heaven actually giving to us freely out of His love and care.  From this flows endless and deep satisfaction. Everything can come to be seen as a love gift—both what God provides as well as what He withholds.  And in that there are such treasures of contentment, security and love to fill even the emptiest of hearts. Let us pray:

Father, forgive me wherever I have doubted your goodness or wisdom in how You have provided for me throughout my life. Forgive me wherever I have sought Your Hand of blessing and failed to seek Your Face of love. Forgive me wherever I have measured Your love by my lack, rather than by the Cross where You Yourself willingly suffered loss for my sake. I see Your love now and I cast myself fully and freely upon Your wisdom in what You choose to provide and what You choose to withhold. Let it all work to bring me to that place of incomparable joy where I finally see all of my life as loving gifts from My Beloved.
 

Renunciations and affirmations

Confess and renounce in the generations of your family on both sides. Repent for each spirit you have entertained. Then confess and believe in the way God’s Word is telling you to go.

Example: Father, I renounce ___ (Covetousness, Not trusting God…) in the generations of my fathers and I repent of having walked in it myself.  I repent of my own sin of ___ (Idolatry, Materialism…). Forgive me and break its power over me and off my generations.

Covetousness
Idolatry (putting things first)
Materialism (putting security in things)
Wanting more (enough is never enough)

Not trusting God
Unbelief that God will provide
Discontent with present provision
Comparison with other’s provision
Envy of another’s provision

Pride
Competition
Superiority
Selfishness
Self-seeking
Ambition
Vanity

Bitterness
Un-forgiveness
Resentment
Retaliation
Anger
Hatred
Violence
Murder

Strife
Rivalry (contending for position or power)
Jealousy (around husband/wife relationship)

Possessiveness
Grasping (striving to get)
Control, manipulation
Fear of losing possessions
Fear of loss of control
 

Putting feet to your prayers/stretch yourself!

5 practical steps to increase trust in God’s provision.

1) Tithing
You have to “see” God’s provision to really appreciate it. He says 10% of what we have doesn't even belong to us (Mal 3:8).  “Returning” the tithe is a faith journey that frees us from being controlled by thinking we are our own providers and opens our eyes to see God's sustaining Hand.

2) Why stop with the tithe?
Why not give God permission to reach into your wallet any time He wants to?  Learn to give at His promptings and see how it brings you closer to Him and frees you of the desire to have more. If we guard our wallets against Him, we are also withholding our hearts.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

3) Why just give money back to Him?
Why not give everything back to Him as well?  It's not really yours anyway—that's what stewardship means. If we truly let our stuff be God's possession, we see how He uses and treats His stuff. By a strange twist when nothing “belongs” to us everything is a gift.

Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come — all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

4) Letting what He provides, guide
Let His present provision be enough.  Learn to let what He actually provides guide your decisions about what you can afford and show you where He draws the line between what we need and what we desire.  He has promised to meet our real needs—not our desires.

5) Practice gratitude for what has already been given
This turns our world around and fills even the seemingly emptiest cups as the “sacrifice” of thanksgiving opens our eyes to see all He already is giving. St. Augustine prayed, “You have given so much to us. Give us one thing more, a grateful heart.”

The best practical step of all for defeating envy and jealousy
Whenever you start to feel envious of another’s blessing, immediately begin thanking God for His provision to them. Get really good at affirming others in their spiritual gifts and in celebrating their victories with them. This totally disarms the enemy (envy and jealousy), and opens the way for the Lord to extend blessing to you.
 

Interested in going deeper?

For further study and for help working these truths into your heart and life, explore all of the Main Healing Lessons and Head to Heart Guides, plus the Life Applications, Illustrations and other Healing Articles posted on this site or available in the store.

Or better yet, let us minister to you in person
     --at one of our Savannah Seminars...