1. THE GRASS ISN’T ALWAYS GREEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.

• Fact: There will always be someone who is better off than you in a certain area, but there will also always be someone else who’s doing worse.

Ecclesiastes 6:7-9 (NLT) 7All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough. 8So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others? 9Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

o We have an insatiable appetite.

• Fact: Comparison with the wrong motivation is the killer of contentment and loving relationships.

2. SATAN BREEDS DISCONTENTMENT.

• Satan was discontent, and in his pride, he compared himself to God. (Isaiah 14:12-17)
• He caused doubt and pride in the Garden with an “it’s better over here” attitude. (Genesis 3:1-5)
• Since The Fall, we have been looking for something better than what God has already given us.

1 Samuel 8:1-8 (NIV84) 1When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. 2The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. 3 But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. 4So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 6But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

o When their circumstances got hard, they looked for something better.

o We are selfish by nature (manna principle).

3. LEARNING TO BE CONTENT.

IT’S A CHOICE.

Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV84) 10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

o Contentment is learned.

o Contentment is not based on our circumstances.

ASK GOD TO CHANGE YOU RATHER THAN THE CIRCUMSTANCES YOU ARE IN.

Romans 12:2 (NIV84) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• Let God shape your character right where He has you. (Jeremiah 18:3-4)

CHOOSE TO HAVE THE RIGHT EXPECTATIONS OF PEOPLE.

• No person can complete you.

CHOOSE TO BE THANKFUL AND PRAY.

1 Thessalonians 5:16b-18 (NLT) Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

o Instead of fretting and comparing to what you don’t have, praise God for who and what He has given you.

Philippians 4:4–8 (NIV)

Philippians 3:8 (NIV) What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

o It’s not Jesus + anything.

CONCLUSION

• Stop yourself when you recognize you are feeling discontent.

o Confess this to God. Take your thoughts captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

o Turn to God for sufficiency. Acknowledge who He is.

o Recognize God has you where He wants you. Learn to surrender.

• Acknowledge whatever is good. (Philippians 4:8)
• Praise Him for all that He has done—He has given you mercy and grace.
• Tell the person you have been having discontent feelings with how much you love and appreciate them. Build them up, affirm them, be specific about who they are.

o Are you willing to love who God loves?