Disappointment?

Contentment, enjoyment, and fulfillment.

These are powerful forces that can overcome disappointment if we apply them at the proper times, don't you think?

Even better would be to live continually in them.

Is it possible? 

When tribulation, trouble, pressure, persecution, stress, and other things enter our lives, they might trigger disappointment. Mark 4:16-19

How can we get contentment, enjoyment, and fulfillment while we're dealing with these?

Maybe we should start with words from the Lord Jesus Christ --

"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation.

But take courage; I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

Jesus said,

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.

I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid." John 14:27

HAPPY and BLESSED

If we have the Lord's peace, maybe we can be peacemakers.

Some Bible translations use the word, "happy" instead of "blessed."

To be happy or blessed implies that there could be contentment, enjoyment, and fulfillment.

A happy, white dog runs along a path

So, we could insert "happy" into these Scriptures --

"Blessed [happy] are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Jesus said,

"Blessed [happy] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6

If we're filled, couldn't this include contentment, enjoyment, and fulfillment? 

Jesus said,

"So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him." John 13:14-16

In other words, because Jesus came NOT to be served but to serve, Mark 10:35 His followers should, too.

Jesus continued,

"If you know these things, you will be blessed [happy] if you do them." John 13:17

LET'S DO IT

Make peace. Romans 12:18; James 3:17-18 

Desire His righteousness. Romans 3:21-24; Philippians 3:9

Serve others. Galatians 5:13

These are a few of the actions that can bring us into contentment, enjoyment, and fulfillment.

It's not enough to HOPE that someday we'll have contentment, that is, to be satisfied with life.

The same is true for enjoyment and fulfillment.

We can't let them be goals only for our future.

We can take action now.

We might need to stir up and fan into a fire the gifts of the Lord NOW. 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6

He will help us get stirred by His Spirit as He did with Samson. Judges 13:25

"But I don't think I have a gift," some may moan.

Peter disagrees.

He wrote,

As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10

Paul also claimed that believers have gifts from the Father.

We have different gifts according to the grace given to us and he listed 7 of them. Romans 12:6-8

LET GOD THE FATHER WORK 

"Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him.

When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

Who satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:5

These psalms quoted here are SONGS that we can sing with thankful hearts. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:15-16

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.

For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9

You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:16

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God,

Who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

IS THERE MORE THAT WE CAN DO?

Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said:

"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

If we want to LOVE LIFE and see good days as we grow into contentment, enjoyment, and fulfillment, Peter has a word for us.

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it." 1 Peter 3:9-11

Paul wrote,

Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord." Colossians 4:17

If we fulfill His ministry given to us, won't we have fulfillment, too?

As an old man Philemon v.9 Paul summarized his life --

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Sounds like a life that experienced the Lord's contentment, enjoyment, and fulfillment. 

These three rose despite Paul's suffering that he endured for Jesus' sake. Acts 9:15-16; 2 Corinthians 1:8-10; 12:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:11 

Contentment, enjoyment, and fulfillment are gifts from the Father. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; James 1:17-18

"For I know the plans I have for you,: declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Here's a message for TODAY:

For He says:

"In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."

Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2

Your thoughts?

R. Jason