Content With Discontentment

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“What I am anxious to see in Christian believers is a beautiful paradox. I want to see in them the joy of finding God while at the same time they are blessedly pursuing Him. I want to see in them the great joy of having God yet always wanting Him.” – A.W. Tozer

Doesn’t that just hit you, tough girl? A beautiful paradox of content yet discontent. Of joy yet longing for joy.

Jesus. You can’t get enough of Him.

The thing is you know all about discontentment, don’t you? You know what it is to long and to want. To be consumed with the desire for something. Maybe it’s something new. Maybe it’s a change in circumstances. Maybe it’s wanting that new season of life. Whatever it is, we all identify with that feeling of wanting more.

Unfortunately, when it comes to contentment, we are typically content with far less than we should be. It could be contentment with average grades or a kinda clean room. You’re content with being just alright with your parents.

Worse is being content with our relationship with Jesus. Being content with a lukewarm faith or one that is moving at a snail’s pace. You figure it’s okay just going to church and reading your Bible every once in a while. After all, it’s better than nothing.

But to take our understanding of contentment and discontentment and apply them to our spiritual walk – well, that’s another story. It’s running after God full force, every day following Him and experiencing Him through His Word and through fellowship. It’s finding a joy that surpasses all understanding and comes simply from knowing Him.

But you don’t stop there. It’s like getting a sip of the sweetest most satisfying drink in existence – and all you want is more. So you keep drinking and keep savoring, each taste filling you with complete satisfaction, yet leaving you thirsting for more.

That, tough girl, is true joy in Christ. It’s the joy of having every want and need met in Him. It’s being comforted, cherished, and loved. It’s being treasured, protected, and blessed. It’s the joy that comes from being content…so content that you want more. More peace. More relationship. More knowing and being known.

Do you know that joy? Don’t you want to?

“Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” – John 16:24

Question: Is your joy truly in Jesus, or Jesus and something else? What are you discontent about right now? What would your life look like if you were truly content in Christ and the only thing you were discontent with was wanting more of Him?

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Want A Little, Get A Lot

Christmas gifts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, what’s on your Christmas list this year? An iPod or iPad? New clothes? Books?

As much as we try and keep the focus on Christ, it can be really hard when we’re bombarded with commercials offering deals on things that we just have to have. We want, want a little more, and then want a little more on top of that.

What’s a tough girl to do with all this consumerism and materialism being shoved down their throats?

Be content. “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8. Before you start thinking about all the things you want, focus on what God has already given you. Then ask yourself, “Do I really need this other stuff? Do I only want it because everyone else has it? I am seeking happiness in things?” A little contentment can go a long way at Christmas.

Be practical. Instead of longing for the latest tech or fashion trends, think about things that you really need. Things like a gas card, money for a mission trip, or new socks Don’t give the lame excuse of wanting something “fun.” If people are going to spend money on you but you don’t want it to just feed your discontentment (like if you get an iPhone 5 and, in 2 months, they come out with the iPhone 5.123), then ask for things you really need.

Be cheap. Set a limit. Tell your parents you only want them to spend $50 or $100 on you. This will keep you away from expensive things you don’t really need. And, if you’re feeling especially risky, do the homemade thing! Say you only want homemade gifts or reused gifts. Do you think you could manage Christmas without spending anything at all?

Be thoughtful. You could get a new Fossil bag. Or you could find an organization that sells bags and the proceeds go to help out women in Africa. You could get a cute new scarf in your stocking. Or you could get a card that says a chicken was bought in your name through World Vision and given to someone who needs it. There are so many gifts out there that not only give you something, but they help out someone you will never meet.

In our family, everyone gets three gifts: a book, a clothing item, and something fun. We try and keep the cost around $100 a person. We will never have piles and piles of presents under our tree, but this simplistic way of gift giving keeps the focus on Christ and the richness of family time each Christmas morning.

Wanting less can lead to you getting more this Christmas than ever before.

Question: How can you be more content this Christmas? What is on your list – and how will it draw you closer to Jesus? What can you do to want less?

How To Love Your Dad

This goes out to every single tough girl. From the one with the best dad to the one with the worst and everything in between, I hope you read this and take it to heart.

Love your dad. This is easier for some of you than others. But here’s the thing – loving your dad actually doesn’t depend on him.

It depends on you.

Love the dad that is a great, godly man. You’ve got it the easiest, let’s be honest. Your dad makes loving him a blessing, not a chore. So tell him. Show him. Serve him. Give back even a small inkling of the immeasurable amount of love he’s given to you.

Love the dad that is a roller coaster. Some days, he’s like that perfect TV dad who does all the right things in a hilarious way. Other days he drives you so crazy, you don’t even want to talk to him. Just remember – you aren’t perfect either, tough girl. Show him grace…the same way he does to you day in and day out.

Love the dad that is emotionally distant. Maybe you feel like you would love him more if he showed you more love, affection, and attention. But you shouldn’t let the love you give be determined by the love you receive. Can you imagine if God worked like that? We’d be in big trouble! Choose to do the mature, godly thing – love him even when he doesn’t deserve it.

Love the dad who has hurt you. He shouldn’t have, of course. But he did and there’s no changing that. Unforgiveness is the ripe soil for a root of bitterness that will make you afraid and unable to fully love others. Even if he doesn’t deserve it, forgive him – for your sake, not for his. Don’t let him hurt you more. Forgive and love him with the forgiveness and love that only Jesus can help you give.

Love the dad who is gone. Whether it was his choice or not, he’s gone. But what you can know is that God used him to bring you into this world. He will always be a part of you. So hold tight to that wonderful truth, even if he himself wasn’t wonderful.

Need some help on how to love him?

-Build him up to his face and behind his back.

-Don’t slander him or gossip about him.

-Leave him notes or send him texts telling him you love him.

-Go out to coffee with him.

-Take him on a daddy/daughter date.

-Tell him about some advice of his that you appreciated.

-Talk to him about the boy you like and ask his opinion.

-Cook his favorite meal.

Dads can be a tricky thing. But there’s one thing we can always know:

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” – 1 John 3:1

Let the love of your Father in heaven enable you to love your father on this earth.

Question: Is it easy or hard for you to love your dad? What Bible verses help you? What ways can you think of to show love to your dad?

Why You Shouldn’t Be Thankful Tomorrow

Pumpkin pie, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Pumpkin_Pie.jpg Scrumptious and good for you! Pumpkin pie is loaded with a healthful phytonutrient called beta-carotene. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sometime tomorrow I will sit at my mother’s dining room table. My family will be there along with my parents, my brother and his family, and certainly some other people that Mom invited and I didn’t know about it. Her gold table cloth will be laid out, covered with her white china that she only uses on holidays. The smells from the kitchen will be intoxicating. The football on the TV will be muted (but not turned off – never turned off). And then, it starts…

“What are you thankful for?”

Yes, we are that family. Every Thanksgiving starts the same. And you know what? I kinda hate it.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of being thankful. I can’t imagine a person who would say otherwise. But it sort of serves as an excuse. An excuse to be whiny, complainy, gossipy, and negative at every other dinner.

Don’t make tomorrow an exception to the rule. When you have the chance to say what you are thankful for, don’t make that the only time people hear that kind of thing from you. Do it before turkey leftovers the next day. And pumpkin pie the day after that.

Do it before lunch at school and Taco Bell after school. Do it first thing when you wake up and last thing before you go to sleep.

Don’t just be thankful on Thanksgiving. Make it a habit. Make it part of your personality and your every day conversation. Let people look at you as that girl who is always talking about what she’s thankful for.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Don’t be thankful tomorrow. Be thankful today. And tomorrow. And the day after that.

Question: What are you thankful for right this moment? How does being thankful connect with being joyful? Why is it different to be thankful for the things God is doing than being thankful for anything else?

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Why You Should Be Joyful

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know that I’m kind of a geek about joy. Okay, I’m a geek about a lot of things (seriously, it’s kind of embarrassing how much comic book stuff I have!) but nothing compares to the obsessive passion I feel about joy.

Why? Why do I think it’s such a big deal for tough girls

 

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

It isn’t just something that happens. It is a fruit of walking hand in hand with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to produce fruit in your life. Joy is a sign of your relationship with HIm

 

Joy is a gift from Jesus – “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your JOY may be full.” John 16:24

We’re talking Alpha, Omega, Almighty, Holy, Wonderful, Savior of mankind Jesus. Giving a gift. To you. He’s not the kind of person you say no to.

 

Joy brings God glory – “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the JOY of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6

In this world, there is a lot of happiness. But happiness is temporary and conditional. Joy, however, is not. It is solid, long-suffering, enduring, constant, and consistent. It is totally unlike anything in this world – which points to Someone much bigger than this world.

 

Joy teaches us to keep our eyes on Christ – “May all who seek You REJOICE and be glad in You!” Psalm 70:4

Again, happiness is found in the temporary things and situations of this life. So when life gets hard and things get crappy, happiness vanishes. But joy doesn’t. Joy causes us to say no to the expectations and standards of the world and say yes to Jesus who is always there, always loving, no matter what.

 

Joy draws us closer to other believers – “I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with JOY.” 2 Corinthians 7:4

Even when things are difficult in your own life, we are knitted together with our brothers and sisters in Christ and get to rejoice when they are rejoicing. Isn’t it amazing when you feel that immediate connection with someone when you find out they are a Christian?

So, why is joy so important for tough girls? It is something that is unique to the person of Jesus and the relationship He has with His children. It makes us stand out from the world as different. It points to something so much bigger than us. It says that Jesus is enough even when the world says the complete opposite.

Joy matters. Are you filled with it?

Question: When is it hardest for you to walk in the joy of the Lord? How do these truths and Scriptures help? Are there any other verses on joy that you love?

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Joy In The Midst of Loneliness

If you are struggling with loneliness, my heart goes out to you tough girl. That feeling of having nobody who gets you. Of feeling like nobody really cares and you don’t really matter. I wish I could come over and hug you right now.

But I can offer you something better.

“O Lord, You have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, Oh Lord, you know it all together…Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, Your right hand shall hold me.” – Psalm 139:1-4, 7-10

You see, even in the midst of your loneliest times, you are not alone. It may sound cliche, but that doesn’t meant that is isn’t incredibly true. Jesus is with you. All day, every day.

When you wake in the morning, overwhelmed at the idea of spending another day where you feel invisible, He is singing over you, rejoicing over all that you are and all that He has planned for you.

When you move through your house like a ghost, feeling distant from these people that are supposed to be the closest in the world to you, He is walking beside you, lavishing love on you as your Abba Daddy.

When you go to school and feel alone and left out, He is right there with you, telling you that you matter, that this isn’t all there is, and that He wants to be that friend  your heart so desperately desires.

When your after school feels so much less exciting than the rest of the people around you, He’s inviting you to spend time with Him and grow your heart and your mind as you seek Him out.

And when you go to bed at night, wondering why you’re even there, He’s hugging you, loving you, filling you, and telling you how precious, special, wonderful, important, and needed you are.

We all go through lonely times, tough girl. Some of them last longer than others. But, no matter how long it’s been, He’s been there. He’s always been there. And he always will be. You just have to let Him in.

Question: When have you gone through a season of loneliness? How did God help you through? How do you think He could help you right now?

Joy In The Midst Of Noise

Life is loud, isn’t it? TV’s, radios, iPods, and computers bombard us with their electronic buzz. School, home, and everywhere in between is filled with people who talk and expect us to listen. It seems like all day, every day, your head and heart are being filled with noise.

Does it ever drag you down? Do the messages they send put a storm cloud in your spirit? Where is Jesus in the midst of all that racket?

Psalm 139 makes it sound like He’s right there. Like right there.

“O Lord, You have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, Oh Lord, you know it all together…Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, Your right hand shall hold me.” – Psalm 139:1-4, 7-10

There’s no escaping God. Which means He is with you all day, every day.

When your alarm goes off and your mind starts to race with the millions of things you need to do, He’s right there for you to cast your cares on.

When things are crazy in your house as everyone is crammed into the same tiny bathroom, He’s right there to fill you with peace and patience.

When you get to school and, right off the bat, drama is all over the place, He’s right there to remind you that He is definition of love and compassion.

When your teacher mocks you for your faith, He’s wrapping His arms around you, proud of you for standing up for yourself.

When your sports practice, band practice, or homework seem to take forever, He’s blessing you with the ability to do them and the grace to see it through.

And when you lay down at night, exhausted from a day full of noise, He’s gently whispering in your heart that He loves you and rejoices in the fact that you love Him in return.

If the noise of every day life feels overwhelming and life-draining, pause and remember that you’re not going through it alone. He will sustain you. He will fill you.

You just have to let Him.

Question: How noisy is your life? What ways have you found to cling to Jesus in the midst of it? How have you seen Him fill you with joy even when there is chaos around you?

Encouragement For The Single Girl

KJV Bible (Photo credit: knowhimonline)

Trust in God’s timing

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” -Romans 8:28

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour our your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” – Psalm 62:8

Trust in God’s sovereignty

“Does He not see my ways and number all my steps?” – Job 31:4

“The Lord has made everything for its purpose…” – Proverbs 16:4

“The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain…” – 1 Corinthians 15:10

Trust in God’s Plan

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

“And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 7:34-35

 

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That One Song That Makes You Smile

A man and a woman performing a modern dance. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As I write this, Awolnation is softy playing in the background. Maybe you love them. Maybe you hate them. Maybe you’ve never heard of them. But this album is my current obsession and I’m not afraid to admit it.

Pretty much every one of their songs does the same thing to me. It doesn’t matter where I am or what’s going on. I can be stuck in the middle of traffic or sitting quietly soaking in a sun beam. I can be happy, sad, frustrated, bored or angry. But as soon as one of their songs come on…

I smile.

I sing.

I dance.

I make a complete fool of myself, even if it’s only for three and a half minutes.

Too often we treat joy like this unobtainable high that’s within our grasp but we can never reach. We let people and situations and problems get us down. One conversation can leave us devastated. One decision sends our whole day into a downward spiral. One bit of bad news breaks us and we feel like we can never be whole again.

But joy isn’t always a slow climb out of a dark pit. It isn’t always a matter of praying and waiting and waiting…and waiting.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.’” – Lamentations 3:22-24

Doesn’t that reverberate in your soul the way that one song that you like so much does?

This was written by the prophet Jeremiah during a very dark time in his life. His country was destroyed, left in shattered pieces. His friends and family were gone. All around him were constant reminders of the tragedy that had torn his life apart. Lamentations is exactly that – a book of lament and sorrow.

And yet…joy! Celebration! Smiles! Comfort!

Jesus is always there, wanting to zap us with a mega dose of joy that can lift us up no matter what is going on. How? It’s Him! It’s the joy of knowing who He is, what He’s done, how totally in charge He is, how good He is, and how much He loves us.

That news right there lifts my spirits more than any song every can.

It makes me smile.

And sing.

And dance.

And make a complete fool of myself.

Question: Does Jesus lift up your spirits the way that one song you love always does? What verses can you put around your room, car, school stuff, etc. that will serve as a reminder of the joy that He brings? How can reflecting on who He is change the way your heart feels in low moments?

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Will Work For Jesus

“Nor is it needful that we should have great things to do. . . We can do little things for God; I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of him, and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself in worship before him, who has given me grace to work; afterwards I rise happier than a king. It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.” – Brother Lawrence

I came across this quote while preparing a Sunday School lesson and it really caused me to stop and think.

Is it enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God?

Okay, I don’t exactly have an abundance of straw lying around. But I sure do have a lot of Legos. I have a ton of laundry to do and more than a few dishes to wash. Beds to make, floors to clean, groceries to shop for. Your list might include things like chores to do, school to attend, homework to get done. Life is full of the mundane and the tedious.

And, as tough girls, we get the chance to do it all for the love of God.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

It’s easy to work for Jesus when we’re volunteering, singing on the worship team, teaching Sunday School, or telling someone about Him. It gets a little bit trickier when it’s something secular, something we don’t want to do, or something that feels pointless.

But, don’t you see? That’s the amazing thing about working for Jesus! When we do all that we do for the love of God, there’s no such thing as secular – it’s all holy, divine, and special! There’s no such thing as something we don’t want to do – we’re submissive to and trusting of the perfect will and plan of God! There’s nothing pointless – it’s all for Him!

Working for Jesus is an all day, every day, every moment of every day thing. It’s an honor that we way too often take for granted. As much as we deny it, we put our “work for Jesus” heart in a box labeled “when I’m at church” or “when I feel like it” or “when other people will be able to see me.”

But it all matters. It all matters.

Is it enough for you to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God?

Do you want it to be?

Question: When is it easiest for you to “work” for Jesus? When is it hardest? How can you incorporate more of a Jesus focus in the way you live your every day life?