ALL THINGS // Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Many people use this quote as inspiration to overcome what they think is impossible, or that they can’t accomplish with their own strength. This quote is actually about contentment. In verse 11, the writer Paul shares, “…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” He goes on to explain that the secret to facing highs and lows is contentment, finishing that thought with the popular quote, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Imagine the things we could accomplish if we would live a life within the boundaries of contentment. It would act like a super power! I believe that life would even feel easier. Our spouse would be priceless. Our kids would be an absolute gift. Our house would be a blessing. We would be grateful for our job, our life, our loved ones. We would spend less and take better care of what we have, treating it like a precious jewel. We would have more to give away because we would need less for ourselves.

I am not sure what the absolute secret is to contentment, but I’ve found that it doesn’t come from Facebook. Social media gives us usually untrue snapshots into other people’s lives. It’s easy to feel jealous of someone else’s photoshopped smile and credit card vacations, which if feels like they take every month!

In his podcast Your Move, Andy Stanley said, “If you feed an appetite, it grows. Satisfying an appetite does not diminish it. It expands it. To diminish an appetite, you have to starve it.”

One possible solution to becoming content is to starve the areas in your life that lead to discontentment. This could look like removing ourselves from situations or removing access from information. Another helpful tool is a gratitude journal. That is my One Thing this month. I am starting a gratitude journal, writing out 3 things every single day that I’m thankful for. I’m going to do it right before bed so I can review that day and record the good that happened.

NEXT STEPS // I encourage you to join in with me and a gratitude journal. Even if you don’t physically keep it in writing, set out 3 minutes every day to think of or say out loud 3 things you are thankful for. If you want extra credit, share it with the person if their name comes up! I also encourage you to cutout those things that you find make you discontent. This could be hanging around certain people, news, social media, entertainment, pornography, or even negative self-talk. If it makes you like your life less and it’s need leading you closer to Jesus, it’s probably not good.

I want to end this with some encouragement. Just a few verses earlier, in Philippians 4:8, Peter shares, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

TO MY BOYS // “I’m so proud of you. I’m thankful every day that I get to be your dad! You are the very best parts of me. You are dearly loved by your mom and me. Now go out there and do your best.” – Dad