Discontentment (or, why we aren’t happy)
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. -1 Timothy 6:7-8
When we are born, we have nothing, and yet, somewhere along the way, we find something that’s very destructive to our happiness: expectations. At some point, we go from being content with food and clothing to having great expectations.
Some expectations are good
We are to hope in God: in the second coming of Christ, and have hope in it. Expecting God to provide for us is both good and comforting, provided that it is within His will. But somewhere along life’s path, we get expectations that are not from God, but from ourselves, and from our own lusts.
[W]e should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; -Titus 2:12-13
False expectations lead to anger and depression
What do we expect to receive from God? Even if He hasn’t promised it to us, since we want it so much, and it seems like such a reasonable thing, we expect them. We hope in them. Our life is not complete without them.But there is a great danger in having false expectations. Quite simply, the danger lies in the fact that God does not operate according to our false views of the world!
And when we do not get our expectations met, we are angry. We can become bitter that God has not lived up to our expectations.
What do we think that God owes us?
- I expect to remain healthy. (Everyone gets sick or injured at some point in their life.)
- I expect to live forever. (Everyone dies.)
- I expect a spouse… soon! (God’s timing or plans may not be the same as our own; we have desires long before those desires are to be fulfilled.)
- I expect to have (many) children. (Sarah was barren – Gen 11:30, Rebekah was barren – Gen 25:21, Rachel was barren – Gen 29:31, Samson’s mother was barren – Judges 13:2, Hannah was barren – 1 Samuel 1:5, Elisabeth, mother of John the Baptist was barren – Luke 1:7; most if not all of the women listed above were godly women, yet sometimes God has a different purpose than what we had anticipated)
- I expect to be wealthy. (God may have a different plan for our lives. Our Lord Jesus chose to come to earth as a poor man, not wealthy.)
- I expect to be respected by others. (If our master, Jesus Christ, was hated, spit upon, abused, and crucified for His godliness, how shall the world react to His servants?)
- I expect to never be hungry, or tired, or uncomfortable. (Jesus has promised us the very opposite in John 16:33, in this world we will have tribulation.)
- I expect to do what I want, when I want. (We have in essence made ourselves as gods, and petty ones at that. Even the Son of God prayed: not my will, but “thy will be done” – Matthew 26:42)
Happiness lies in having proper expectations
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. -Proverbs 13:12
If hope that is delayed makes our heart sick, then why should we hope in earthly things? This world is passing away. Why should we raise our expectations as high as the heavens when we are still upon this earth? The world holds no such promise for us. But for the grace of God, the world does not guarantee our next breath. The world cannot guarantee even the next sunrise. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).
The fruit of the Spirit is joy. The gift of God is eternal life. The gift of His Spirit is charity: selfless love. In these things is found happiness, not in any temporary or changeable thing in this world.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: -Colossians 3:1-5
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