I’m starting a project today that I’m calling: Want What Is: 365. Here’s what it’s about and why I’m doing it:
Want What Is: 365 is a daily project for 2012 of practicing contentment.
There are a few reasons why I am starting this project:
1. I know it’s God’s will that I grow in contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, “Godliness with contentment is of great gain.”
2. I want to bless my husband in a new way this year. I have learned through years of mentoring and study that a contented wife is one of the greatest gifts to a husband. I, by God’s power, want to give my husband this gift.
3. This past year has been a trying one for me personally. I have suffered loss of confidence, negative self-thoughts, hormonal struggles and possibly even depression. I think Satan was definitely getting a stronghold in my mind. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 talks about this: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of strongholds. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” Taking negative thoughts, self-pity and other destructive thought patterns under the obedience of Christ and practicing contentment by walking in His Spirit will bring blessing to my life and cause me to be a blessing to others. I long for the joy of that.
4. The economy today brings temptation with it to complain and grumble often…sometimes even constantly. That’s not the life I want. I want to please God and live His abundant life.
So, here’s how it works:
Every day when I catch myself thinking selfishly rather than as unto God, I want to stop, reverse my thinking, and set my mind on what He has given me, how blessed I am. I want to stop and purposefully Want What Is. I plan to keep a journal daily about these experiences and how it affects me, my family, and my friends.
I think this is going to be difficult. Very difficult at first. With time I think it will become easier, later becoming a habit (takes 21 days to form a habit….this might take me a bit longer!), and then a way of life.
Why don’t you join me in Want What Is: 365?
Jill, thank you so much for sharing your blog with me. I’m so excited to follow along with you. I am going to join you in taking my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. I miss you! Love, Megan
Megan, love hearing from you! Loved your cute Christmas Tree pictures! What a beautiful family! Love you, Jill
I’ll join you in Want What Is!! I have been considering doing some sort of “Thankful Journal” etc. for 2012 but I like this much better. Thank you so much for sharing!! Love you!! VK
It worked perfectly! Yay! I love hearing from you…thank you for encouraging me. You’re a true friend.
I’m excited to join you in this, Jill. I have already begun on the road of practicing contentment during this past year. I can really see that it encourages Kelley when I speak of my happiness with the situations that we are in NOW, not how I wish things could be like I used to. The idea of keeping a journal is a good one!
Mary, I feel the same way…like I used to be better “back then.” Then I wonder, maybe I just didn’t see my sin back then and now I am seeing it more! Either way, I definitely need God to keep changing me!
Oh boy, do I need this one! We are in the “last year” (I keep telling myself) of building our larger house for this big crew. (I think we are in year 5!) The closer it gets, the more discontent I get with the house we’re in! I hardly have room to turn around, especially after all the Christmas stuff we acquired! Thanks for sharing this great idea.
Girl, you have done so amazingly….don’t give up on the last lap!!! :>)
Jill, I think I want to do this too…I am currently keeping a 1000 gifts journal, but practicing your phrase..Want What Is…365 ~ would keep me even more in the here & now. I am praying about it….
I’ve downloaded the devotional, a little late, but ready to go. 🙂