DEC. 5, 2013
Get
Your “Wanter” Fixed
Read: Philippians
4:4-13
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. —Philippians 4:11
When
my wife was a young girl in Austin, Texas, Carlyle Marney was her family’s
neighbor, pastor, and friend. One of his off-hand remarks about being content
became one of her family’s enduring expressions: “Dr. Marney says, ‘We just
need to get our wanter fixed.’”
It’s
so easy to want more than we need and to become more focused on getting than on
giving. Soon, our desires dictate our choices.
When
the apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in the city of Philippi, he
told them, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be
content . . . . I have learned both to be full and to
be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Phil. 4:11-12). Paul was saying,
in effect, “I’ve had my ‘wanter’ fixed.” It’s important to note that Paul was
not born with contentment. Helearned it in the difficult circumstances of everyday life.
During
this season of the year, when shopping and buying often take center stage in so
many countries and cultures, why don’t we decide to focus on being satisfied in
our present circumstances? It may sound difficult, but Paul, when talking about
learning to be content said, “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me” (v.13).
Help us, Lord, to learn contentment when life is
rough. Protect us from believing the lie that
having more will bring us happiness. May we be
content with what You have given.
Contentment begins with having fewer wants.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
