"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:12-13 NIV
I have to admit it: sometimes I struggle with contentment.
When my husband and I purchased a house 8 years ago, we decided to make our purchase based on paying the mortgage with only my husband's salary (since I wanted to eventually become a stay-at-home mom).
We purchased an older, smaller home in a busy area. Our intention was to live in our home for a couple of years and then move into another better house. As I shared earlier this year, we spoke with a realtor about a month ago, and we are underwater on our mortgage (through no fault of our own...it's just our local market). It could be years before our house makes it back to even our purchase price.
Sometimes I struggle with being content with the house that I have...knowing that I'll still likely be living here in a couple of years. I wish my house was bigger, newer, had a bigger backyard, was more in the country...
Don't get me wrong...I am happy that:
- We have somewhere to live
- We can afford our mortgage and are not facing foreclosure like so many in our area
Instead of focusing on what others have (and I don't), I can work my hardest to make our home work for us. Plus...even though I don't live anywhere near the country...at least there's a drugstore on almost every corner :-). I need to also focus on Christ for my contentment, not things.
What can discontentment cost financially?
Don't people keep up with the Jones' many times because they are discontent? They see what their neighbor has, and they lust after it. Maybe they can't afford it, so they go in debt just to acquire it (and the Jones' are likely in debt to afford it, too).
Or have you ever really wanted something like the newest gadget? Once you got it, you were so excited to play with it. But, a week later, it wasn't that great anymore, and you've moved on the next great thing. Isn't that why manufacturer's are always "improving" their products and then leading us to believe that the old one won't work for us anymore.
Will a person feel better once they have everything the Jones' have? Would I feel more content if I had a different house? Probably not...
What about you? Do you struggle with contentment in any area? What has the discontentment cost you? For more frugal ideas, please visit Life as Mom.
Photo by poppcorn
Keri
This is so true for me. I am often wishing for a newer car, faster computer, etc. Being content is hard! Phil. 4:13 in the context is wonderful though. It reminds me that I cannot make myself content by buying everything I "need" but must rely on the Lord.
The Prudent Homemaker
I would love to live in the country, too, but I know this house is where the Lord would have us live.
And though you don't live in the country, you can make the most with what you do have. You can plant as big of a garden as you can fit--and you can even make it pretty, and formal--and still feed your family! You can edge your beds with flowers and make all your trees fruit trees (depending on where you live, you may even be able to plant fruit trees in your front yard as well). I'm not zoned for chickens or a cow, though I would love to have them, but I can grow blackberries, asparagus, artichokes, zucchini, peaches, herbs, etc!
Thank you for the scripture that you shared. I am going to put that one somewhere where I see it daily.
Recent undefined:=- Oh no! Comluv had an error with your feed, see message below!
Corrie @ Centsable Momma
Thanks for your great ideas, Prudent Homemaker! We've always lived in our house like we're going to leave in a couple of years, but there are some inexpensive things we can do.
Free2BeFrugal
Discontentment can cost you everything! It can make us overspend and it can make us miserable. It can cost us our peace and ruin relationships.