Surviving the Storm, Part 5

David Uth
Paul - Contentment

There are 2 great tragedies in life:
1) Not getting want you want
2) Getting what you want (this one may not always be best!)

Philippians 4:10-13

There are things in life that we don't know we want until we are made aware of their existence, i.e. the ice cream truck, the new house for sale, the newest car, new gadgets or electronics. We are just fine until something better comes along.

If you are driven by bigger and better are are probably:
1. Fatigued
2. In Debt - Proverbs 22:7 - average credit card balance is $8k
3. Worried - Ecclesiastes 5:12 - worried about stuff
4. In Conflict - James 4:1 - #1 Conflict in Marriage is money
5. Dissatisfied - happy for a while but dissatisfied again

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money. US News & World Report did a study and proved that people always want more. In 1978 there were an average 8,000 items in a supermarket and today it is over 30,000. Psychology Today says that a typical 30 year old male is 10 times more depressed than their father. We are getting more stuff but we are still not satisfied.

The Secret of Contentment
1. It is not in the circumstances of your life
2 Corinthians 11:24-28
Paul was at a low point in his life but he found the secret. He learned through life's lessons. The lessons came to him.

Look at Lotto Winners as the example of what happens to people with a lot of money. Time after time they end up bankrupt or their personal lives are a mess. They are destroyed by their winnings. If fame, fortune, money, and power would bring contentment why isn't Hollywood the happiest place on earth?

All that matters is Faith, Family, and Friends. Your hope in the storm... All things through Christ.

The Secret - In Christ Who Strengthens Me