Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving - The Crosswalk Devotional - November 26

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Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving
By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). 

While thankfulness should be our main focus on Thanksgiving, sometimes it can also be a time of comparison. When we go to family get-togethers or friendsgivings, it is hard not to compare our lives to others. Maybe we are the only single person amongst our friend group and we want to have a spouse. Or maybe we are recovering from the death of a loved one and we have a hard time coping with the lightheartedness of those around us.

Personally, ever since my mom passed away, Thanksgiving has never felt the same. Some years it has been easier to cope with, while others the depression, grief, and loss has felt overwhelming. 

Although my family’s Thanksgiving doesn’t look like other people’s Thanksgivings, it doesn't mean we can not practice thankfulness for the blessings that we do have. In truth, it has allowed us to develop contentment for the circumstance we have found ourselves in. While I would want more than anything for my mom to be here, all I can do now is to be content and thankful for the family I do have and the time we have together. 

The same goes for any circumstance you have found yourself in this year. My friend really wants to be married, but she hasn’t ever dated anyone and it gives her grief every year she sits in front of her siblings with their spouses. It can be painful to be in this situation and quite depressing, however, if we change our hearts to contentment rather than want, we will learn to be thankful in our present season of life. Instead of thinking of what your life is lacking, reflect upon all the blessings you do have, such as your family, a loving home, or a fulfilling job.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). While nobody knows with certainty who wrote the Book of Hebrews, we do know it was the Holy Spirit working through them. Therefore, this passage is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). 

From this passage, we are instructed to keep our lives free from the love of money and to be content with what we have. We should do these things because God has already told us that He will never leave us or forsake us. Since these things are true, we need to practice contentment and also avoid developing a love of money. A love of money or a love of things we don’t have will only lead to a heart of discontent. 

Reflecting on the truth that God will never leave us or forsake us can help us develop contentment this Thanksgiving season. Even if there is no spouse next to us, or a missing loved one across the table, or even if we’re surrounded by things we wish we had - whatever it may be - God is still with us. He will fill the void and bring our hearts the love, peace, and support that they need. God sees our pain and anguish, and He will bring healing in His proper time. For the present time, we need to lean into Him, practice contentment, and know that if we have Him, we truly do have all things.

What are some reasons why you’re struggling with contentment this Thanksgiving? Is there anything you can do to change your heart of want to a heart of contentment? Hebrews 13:5 urges our hearts to be content. What does it mean to you that God will never leave or forsake you? 

What are some practical steps you can take to foster contentment in your life?

Further Reading:
Luke 12:15
Philippians 4:11-13
1 Timothy 6:6-8

How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/The Good Brigade 


Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

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Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

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Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving - The Crosswalk Devotional - November 26

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

The Crosswalk Devotional updated banner logo

Practicing Contentment This Thanksgiving
By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). 

While thankfulness should be our main focus on Thanksgiving, sometimes it can also be a time of comparison. When we go to family get-togethers or friendsgivings, it is hard not to compare our lives to others. Maybe we are the only single person amongst our friend group and we want to have a spouse. Or maybe we are recovering from the death of a loved one and we have a hard time coping with the lightheartedness of those around us.

Personally, ever since my mom passed away, Thanksgiving has never felt the same. Some years it has been easier to cope with, while others the depression, grief, and loss has felt overwhelming. 

Although my family’s Thanksgiving doesn’t look like other people’s Thanksgivings, it doesn't mean we can not practice thankfulness for the blessings that we do have. In truth, it has allowed us to develop contentment for the circumstance we have found ourselves in. While I would want more than anything for my mom to be here, all I can do now is to be content and thankful for the family I do have and the time we have together. 

The same goes for any circumstance you have found yourself in this year. My friend really wants to be married, but she hasn’t ever dated anyone and it gives her grief every year she sits in front of her siblings with their spouses. It can be painful to be in this situation and quite depressing, however, if we change our hearts to contentment rather than want, we will learn to be thankful in our present season of life. Instead of thinking of what your life is lacking, reflect upon all the blessings you do have, such as your family, a loving home, or a fulfilling job.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). While nobody knows with certainty who wrote the Book of Hebrews, we do know it was the Holy Spirit working through them. Therefore, this passage is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21). 

From this passage, we are instructed to keep our lives free from the love of money and to be content with what we have. We should do these things because God has already told us that He will never leave us or forsake us. Since these things are true, we need to practice contentment and also avoid developing a love of money. A love of money or a love of things we don’t have will only lead to a heart of discontent. 

Reflecting on the truth that God will never leave us or forsake us can help us develop contentment this Thanksgiving season. Even if there is no spouse next to us, or a missing loved one across the table, or even if we’re surrounded by things we wish we had - whatever it may be - God is still with us. He will fill the void and bring our hearts the love, peace, and support that they need. God sees our pain and anguish, and He will bring healing in His proper time. For the present time, we need to lean into Him, practice contentment, and know that if we have Him, we truly do have all things.

What are some reasons why you’re struggling with contentment this Thanksgiving? Is there anything you can do to change your heart of want to a heart of contentment? Hebrews 13:5 urges our hearts to be content. What does it mean to you that God will never leave or forsake you? 

What are some practical steps you can take to foster contentment in your life?

Further Reading:
Luke 12:15
Philippians 4:11-13
1 Timothy 6:6-8

How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/The Good Brigade 


Vivian Bricker author bio photoVivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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