I recently finished reading Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow and it has got me thinking and praying a lot about contentment and accepting my portion in life. It has been especially helpful in reminding me to be grateful for what the Lord has provided for me and to stop comparing myself to others. Here are some quotes from the book that I enjoyed:
“Prescription for Contentment:
-Never allow yourself to complain about anything-not even the weather.
-Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else.
-Never compare your lot with another’s.
-Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
-Never dwell on tomorrow-remember that tomorrow is God’s, not ours.”
“Just as a cup of tea gets stronger when we give it time to steep, so we become more content when we spend time in God’s Word and allow it to steep into our lives, transforming us to be like Him.”
“God is the blessed controller of all things,
the king over all kings and the master of all masters.”
-1 Timothy 6:15
“Lord, you have assigned me my portion
and my cup; you have made my lot secure.”
-Psalm 16:5
Here is a quote from Elisabeth Elliot on Psalm 16:5:
“I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned. Does the intellect balk at that? Can we say that there are things that happen to us that do not belong to our lovingly assigned “portion.” (“This belongs to it, that does not”)? Are some things, then, out of the control of the Almighty? Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are canceled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter. A quiet heart is content with what God gives.”
“Contentment is accepting God’s sovereign control over all of life’s circumstances.”
“You will never really enjoy other people, you will never have stable emotions, you will never lead a life of godly contentment, you will never conquer jealousy and love others as you should until you thank God for making you the way He did.” -Reverend James Hufstetler
“They took away what should have been my eyes
(But I remembered Milton’s Paradise)
They took away what should have been my ears
(Beethoven came and wiped away my tears)
They took away what should have been my tongue
(But I had talked with God when I was young)
He would not let them take away my soul
Possessing that, I still possess the whole.”
-Helen Keller
“When does a woman become an adult? Perhaps it’s when she stops comparing her life to other women’s. When she stops waiting for “Mr. Right.” When she stops wishing she’d married someone else or that her children were at an easier stage. We grow up when we see our life and our role from God’s perspective; when we thank God for the role He assigned us and begin to see our cup as a gift instead of a cross; when each morning we ask, “God, how can I glorify You today in my given role?”
“If we want to be women of contentment, we must choose to accept our portion, our assigned roles from God. We must make the choice to dwell on the positive aspects of our role in life. If we don’t we’ll be discontent, always wanting something different from what we’ve been given.”
“This is the blessed life-not anxious to see far in front, nor eager to choose the path, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time. The Shepherd was always out in front of the sheep. He was down in front. Any attack upon them had to take him into account. Now God is down in front. He is in the tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills men with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass Him before they can get to us.” -F.B. Meyer
I highly recommend this book for anyone who struggles with discontentment, anxiety, or worry. It has really given me a lot to think about and has challenged me in many ways.
Lord,
Help me to realize that you are in control and
that all circumstances are in your hands.
Help me to be grateful for all that you have given me.
Help me to lean on you and not worry about tomorrow.
Hello there! I found your blog while trying to get the scripture verse for being "grateful for our assigned portion". I've only read a bit of your blog, and I am so blessed by it! I frequently write on my blog, and have found it to be quite the ministry and theraputic outlet.Hopefully we can touch base at some point. God bless,
Hi Sarah! Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I find writing to be theraputic as well. It helps me to sort out how I'm really feeling. I look forward to getting to know you better! :)
I recently finished reading Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow and it has got me thinking and praying a lot about contentment and accepting my portion in life. It has been especially helpful in reminding me to be grateful for what the Lord has provided for me and to stop comparing myself to others. Here are some quotes from the book that I enjoyed:
I found your blog while trying to get the scripture verse for being "grateful for our assigned portion". I've only read a bit of your blog, and I am so blessed by it! I frequently write on my blog, and have found it to be quite the ministry and theraputic outlet.Hopefully we can touch base at some point.
God bless,
Sarah~
~ellie in pasadena, ca.