A Contented Spirit

In continuing to think about being in the "School of Contentment" as we go through the Satisfied Series at my church, I can't help but think of Pastor Chuck Swindoll and his thoughts on attitude. I have shared it many times with others and have taught it to my boys.

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important that the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes."

I have learned that contentment does not depend on having; it depends on our heart's wanting the right things!  I would rather be able to appreciate things I cannot have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.

Ken Wytsma tells us in his awesome book The Grand Paradox - "When tempted to compare yourself with those who have more; give yourself to those who have less."

And when I think of having a great attitude - I always think of my friend Steve Edwards!