Invitation to Contentment

A+ R A-

Wednesday, 15 September 2010 13:09

Rate this item

(0 votes)

Invitation to Contentment ^Featured

Written by Bro. John Gabe
font size decrease font size increase font size
Print option in slimbox / lytebox? (info)
E-mail
Be the first to comment!

When my father was still alive, we owned a big property. Then he died and my mother remarried. He married a policeman. We had a nice house. He died too, and she became depressed. We sold all our properties and went back to Cotabato. Life for Muslims was hard. We always had bananas for meals. One day, a terrible storm came and destroyed all the banana trees.

When I went to school, we had no money for allowance. I would beg for notepads from my classmate. I really felt ashamed. That began my dream to work as houseboy and janitor. I continued my studies at the same time. While my mother wallowed in depression, I became the family breadwinner. We went to Manila. I prayed to God.

I continued dreaming. Then came this - contentment. I asked the Lord about His plan for me.

"Think big, but start small." I was a preacher, it's sad if you don't get what you want. Then I married and had kids. I asked myself, why worry when problems are always solved? I said there's God and He won't abandon me.

Contentment requires complete trust in God. God is inviting us to fully trust in Him and believe He won't leave us alone. "Be satisfied, I'm always with you."

Contentment is the state of being satisfied and trusting in God. That's enough for us. God is more than enough. He is sufficient. "Be joyful, be satisfied. I'm with you."

Worrying - this is the opposite of contentment. There's no reason to worry. As Christians, everything is provided for us. We don't dwell on worries.

Contentment is a gift (Lk. 11:13). Let's pray we have it, especially now. There are so many reasons to be sad and frustrated. Let's be content because the Lord is there for us. While hoping in God, continue also working or whatever you are doing. Don't be cowered by problems. God won't forsake us.

It's easy to say God is more than enough, but when problems come, that's hard to believe. God is important. He never quits on us. Even when you think God's not with you, He's there. Let's strive not to quit also. We all live by faith. God is in our faith (Gal. 2:20 ). We are that precious to Him. If Christ is in us, there's true happiness. The key is to put God in the center of our lives. That will give us joy.
You will be tested even when God is at the center of your life. Problems are just like "chocolates" if God is with us.

The principles of contentment:

1. Contentment is a great gain (1 Tim. 6:6 ). We brought nothing into this world. Money is not wrong but love for it is (1 Tim. 6:10 ). Money should make us happy, not the other way around. Our of faith in God suffers. Some of us in the community prayed for jobs. When we got it, we left. We returned, still feeling not happy. If we really want to be rich, thank God for what we have.

2. The Lord is our helper. We won't be afraid (Heb. 13:5-6 ). The Lord is with us. What can others do to us if God is with us? God wants us to witness to the world. We say, "Jesus I trust in You.

3. Don't worry (Mt. 6:31-33). If God is at the center of our lives, we should be happy. Despite the many reasons to worry, if the world does not see us pressured, that's the way. We can give inspiration to others.

This is often my public prayer, that I lose everything I have except God.

Last modified on Friday, 15 April 2011 16:38

Read 863 times

Published in Great Invitation Series

Tagged under

Social sharing

Related items (by tag)

More in this category: « Invitation to Commitment Invitation to Conversion »

Prev Next Page:

Divine Mercy image enthroned anew at DoF

The Friends enthroned the Divine Mercy image at Department of Finance main building along Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila on May 9, 2012. The image was transferred from another building of the Department, also located within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas complex. Ms. Adora Navarro of the revenue operations group (3rd from left) led the acceptance of the image for enthronment at the building ground floor for a month. Bro. Max Estayo, Sis. Jenda Suson, Sis. Nonit Tapang and Sis. Girly Cayabyab were in charge of the transfer for Divine Mercy on the...

Comments (0) 11 May 2012 Hits:22 Divine Mercy on the Block

Friends holds 2nd 'Way of Mercy' in Bulacan

The Friends of the Divine Mercy conducted its second annual Visita Iglesia on March 31 touring 15th century-old churches of Bulacan province.The "Way of Mercy," which recalls the sufferings of Jesus in 14 stations of the cross, drew about 400 pilgrims including Divine Mercy devotees from the community and affiliate-members.The first stop was at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan where the community attended a Holy Mass offered for its intentions. Fr. Mar Arenas, shrine rector, met the community to update them with the advocacies of...

Comments (0) 18 Apr 2012 Hits:59 Community News

Friends Bacolod gets reminder on 'Cross'

Friends Bacolod held its Treasures fellowship on March 18, 2012 at Parlor Hall of Sacred Heart Seminary, Lupit Church, Bacolod City. About 20 members, led by Sis. Rosamie Azuro, head of the chapter, attended the gathering. The highlight of the event was the Lenten talk of Sis. Milarey Maquiling-Wee called "C.R.O.S.S," for Christ, Resurrection, Offerings, Servanthood and Salvation. The salient points of her discussion were:1. The crucifix symbolizes sacrifice and hardship similar to our own struggles and challenges in life. It also reminds us to communicate to Christ through prayers....

Comments (0) 28 Mar 2012 Hits:67 Community News

Young Friends in Action (YFA) held its regular monthly Believers' Fellowship last March 18 at Layforce Bldg., San Carlos Seminary, Guadalupe, Makati.Jojo Cruz, a retreat and recollection facilitator at Layforce, was guest speaker and discussed a topic on trusting God."Kuya Jojo" formed the attendees into groups to allow them talk about their fears. He said fears are connected to trust, but that we should acknowledge the opportunity to trust Jesus through our fears. Jesus will comfort and calm us whenever we feel anxious and disturbed, he said.Sis. Gemma Palmera discussed...

Comments (0) 28 Mar 2012 Hits:78 Community News

Friends@Play, the friendly sports competitions between chapters of the community, resumed on March 11 at Brgy. Villamor courts in Pasay City.Main Chapter and Friends Villamor clashed at the volleyball match, with the former prevailing in two straight sets with 25-21, 26-24. In the second game, Villamor again received beating, this time from Friends Pasig with 22-25, 25-19, 25-23.In the basketball face-off, Friends Pasig won over Main Chapter.The next games are set on April 29.

Comments (0) 18 Mar 2012 Hits:80 Community News

The Department of Finance received the Divine Mercy image for enthronment at its office at 7th Flr. EDPC Bldg., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila last March 7. Mr. Eric Tipgos (5th from left in photo) from the department's national policy and planning service accepted the image on behalf of the office. The image was transferred from nearby Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center where the image had stayed for a month. Bro. Max Estayo introduced the Friends of the Divine Mercy community to the DoF staff after a Holy...

Comments (0) 17 Mar 2012 Hits:63 Divine Mercy on the Block

Prev Next Page:

Invitation to Contentment Featured

Related items (by tag)

Leave a comment

Divine Mercy image enthroned anew at DoF

Friends holds 2nd 'Way of Mercy' in Bulacan

Friends Bacolod gets reminder on 'Cross'

Youth members taught to trust

Friends@Play sees action at Villamor

DoF receives Divine Mercy image

Invitation to Contentment ^Featured