Reading Spiritual Slumber over at Denise’s place stirred up a question that I have often wondered about—how do you know when contentment is just an excuse to be complacent in a certain area?
How have you seen complacency disguised in your life?
Contentment or Complacency
Wow; a post for such a time as this. I am not sure how to explain this, but contentment is humble, but bold in God, and complacency is hardened, but blind in self. When I am content, I have a trust (confidence, bold spirit) in God no matter what is going on. I am humble, level. For me, complacency sneaks up like a slow freeze. It’s like putting a bottle of water in the freezer intending to leave it only for a few minutes to get it to the right temperature for drinking and waking up only to find it hard and unusable. Like ice, complacency, may look clean and clear, but it is hard…too hard to satisfy thirst…too hard to cleanse. It is blinding. The spiritual consistency of contentment and complacency is like night and day; contentment is a softening (but rooted spirit); complacency is a hardening (looks firm, but is uprooted).
a good reminder to all of us to constantly be aware of the state we are in. Complacent is soo different from content!
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
I think complacency has a way of creeping in on us.
Hmmmm….now that’s a rich explanation LaVonne. It’s one of those I have to gnaw on for a while. I have never heard explained in such a way but that bottle in the freezer illustration is such a great one.
When I’m content, I don’t feel a need to change anything. Not because I’m afraid to, but because I feel complete or fulfilled. When I’ve grown complacent, I feel restless inside–there is something lacking, or I feel I have to do something but I’m not sure what, and I can’t seem to motivate myself to go forward. Or maybe I know what, but anxiety (or something else) prevents me from following through.
Contentment would allow me to enjoy being alone. I do not–I hate it, but I don’t know what to do about it except keep praying. I’ve tried everything else. :{
Elizabeth, that’s such a great explanation between the two. You’ve given me a new meter to gauge. Definitely have some areas that I’m lacking contentment. I know all too well that feeling of wanting something but feeling as if the power to bring it to past relies on someone else.
OK, being totally honest here – sometimes I have *hidden* complacency in the excuse, “I’ll have to pray about that.” Yes, I absolutely believe that we must pray about decisions before we make them. Pray before you leap! But sometimes, I have used the “oh so pious” excuse of prayer to put someone off, to avoid doing something I don’t want to do, to buck against God’s nudge.
I LOVED Lavonne’s comment above. That is the best description I have ever read.
I am praying for God to give me the discernment to recognize and do something about my complacency. And I am praying for Him to enable me to be content with current circumstances.
GOD BLESS!
awesome reminder.
One I need to be reminded.
Sharon, I appreciate your honesty. I often said something similar in conversations with sister. The have to pray about it sounds really good but I do believe it’s often used as an excuse not take action.
Good reminder, I really love being honest and I guess you’re really honest!
Honesty is a good policy.
I agree with Lavonne. I couldn’t have said this any better. Now, I need to look at the areas of my life where complacency has creeped-in.
Wasn’t that one of the best explanations LaVonne gave. She has such a way with words that often leave me having an aha moment.
So true that we can misuse this. When we want to avoid confrontation, stand up for ourselves, correct what is obviously wrong…we say…but we should be content in all things. But it’s not what the writer intended. He meant don’t be upset, anxious, overly worried, expecting God to answer and deliver. I’ve done it, and push off things I should have taken action on. Good reminder.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Analisa. When my level of contentment decreases, I find that I have changed my focused on the wrong things.