Chapter 3: "Woe Is Me!"

Chapter 3: "Woe Is Me!"

A great many Christians at times, are internal and infernal gripers (hopefully, not eternal, but sometimes it would seem so!).  We complain. We criticize. We grouse, grouch and grumble.  The truth is, we are contentious. 

Often we put a "but" at the end of a "thank you," as in "Thank you. Lord. for friends, but I wish I had more;" or, "I'm grateful for my health, but I wish I weren't getting gray and creaky;" or, "I'm grateful for our home, but I wish I could afford new carpeting." 

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Perhaps the greatest reason or our complaining spirit is lack of contentment -- with ourselves, with our situations, with our relationships and the world in general.  Because we are not content, we become contentious. 

Our lack of contentment is often caused by our tendency to compare. … we keep doing it all our life.  When we are not feeling good about ourselves, it is easy to find someone to compare ourselves to in a positive light.  However, I am more prone to compare myself negatively. … God wants me to be me.  Sure, he has a lot f rough edges to file away, but he created only one me in the whole world, and I need to be content to be that. 

Our contentment -- or lack of it -- is often influenced by what we allow to come into our minds. … Have you ever bought a book and realized by the end of the first chapter that it is junk?  Do you throw it into the garbage can or do you rationalize that you'll read it anyway so you won't waste your money?  Friend, you've already wasted your money.  The question is are you going to waste hours on it, too, and in the process dump garbage into the well of your mind? "A wise man is hungry for truth, while the mocker feeds on trash." (Proverbs 15:14)

We must also be careful about what we allow to stay in our minds.  Many people in our society today wrestle with unbelievable difficulties that cling to their lives like blood-0sucers.  They have been victims of emotional or physical abuse, had marriages full of pain and anger, and have been violated, humiliated and tore apart inside. … Being careful not to dump trash into our minds and not to allow ugliness from the past to stay there is only the first step.  We must get rid of the poisons, but if fresh pure water is not constantly coining in, our well becomes stagnate and foul. 

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Look up the words "contentment" and "complaint."  in the English language how do these differ? 

Read Philippians 4:10-12, 1st Timothy 6:6-8 and Hebrews 13:5-6.  List your observations about contentment.  Why do we find it so hard to be content? 

Read Philippians 2:1-4 and Philippians 3:12-14.  How do we make Paul's "joy complete?"  What does Paul say regarding our attitudes towards each other in verse 3-4?   Who do you compare yourself to?  Why?  What is the key to contentment according to 3:12-14?  Where should our focus be in our lives if we are to be content?  What do forget? 

Where can you find a little contentment today?  List the things you generally grumble about on a scrap piece of paper, now wad the paper up and throw it out.  Now, make a list of things that you are grateful for, post that list somewhere you can see it daily.  Pray that God will help you leave your past and press on toward the calling of Christ.