Discontent Americans

 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” ~ I Timothy 6:6

This quote below is one I’ve saved because it reminds me of how easily we can grow discontent and unaware of the amazing lives we have been given by God in America.  A few of the stats are now off since it’s from 2006 but the message is one we still need to be reminded of.

~written by Craig R. Smith and published on WorldNetDaily.com at Thanksgiving, 2006.

“Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the country just isn’t happy and want a change. I started thinking, ”What are we so unhappy about?” Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.

Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You maybe upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.

Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67percent of you folks unhappy.”

Ouch right?  We are so blessed…and though this is an unstable time with the economy, job market, and fear of terrorists – we have soooo much to be thankful for and God calls us to just be content with food and clothes – look how much MORE he has given Americans!

Praise His name today!  Give thanks and teach your children to give thanks too!

Walk with the King,

35 Comments

  1. I agree! We are so much more blessed than many other people in the world. I’m thankful this year for my health! I had cancer & had to lose my right kidney but it was all contained within my kidney. Unfortunately my cousin lost her 2 yr battle with cancer on Saturday & we’ll lay her to rest on Wednesday. She loved The Lord and I take comfort in that knowledge.

    1. Kelly – oh my word – you lost your kidney 🙁 I’m sorry but so glad to hear that you are doing well now…but your cousin :*( I am so sincerely sorry for your loss especially during this holiday season. I’m saying a prayer for you and your family right now.
      God Bless,
      Courtney

      1. Thank you for the prayers. The whole kidney cancer thing STILL seems so surreal. But I’ve got a scar to prove it 😉

        1. So happy you overcame the cancer. So sorry for your loss of your cousin. Glad she knew the Lord! We just lost someone to cancer last month and another family member is just hanging on to strings right now also with cancer. My prayers are with you!

  2. Perfect timing. Was feeling like everything was going wrong this evening, but this post certainly helped me put things into perspective. I have way more to be thankful for than I have to be unthankful for! Thanks for sharing, Courtney!

  3. Amen! We have so much here in this country and we spend far too little time remembering that. (And, in my opinion, far too much time grumbling about the things we don’t have.)

  4. Thank you for reminding me that I really do have something to be thankful for. Things have been really hard for my husband and me lately as he was laid off, for the second time, four months ago. I was able to stay home as a housewife for most of this year, but we have decided that we both need to find work in order to be able to eventually get rid of our debt but for right now we just need to be able to pay the bills and put food on the table. We’re currently living on his unemployment benefits that will run out by the end of the year along with all of our savings. I know that God has provided for us in the past and has continued to do. However, I am having a harder time with really trusting that things will work out. We’ve both had job interviews recently that did not result in an offer and we’re getting increasingly frustrated and discouraged. We feel like we’ve been doing the right things only to get pushed back down over and over again. But…we have yet to be late on any of our bills or go without food and I am definitely thankful for that. I just have to remind myself not to be afraid of what might happen but to have faith that God with give me the strength to endure it.

  5. Even though I am not an American (I am an Israeli living in New Zealand!) your post rings true to pretty much anyone living in a first world country. We are blessed abundantly above what we realise and deserve.

    Thank you for this reminder!

  6. I love this post. Even when times are hard for us here in America we always have something to be grateful for, even though at times it may not feel like it. Thank you for this post.

  7. Thanks for the reminder. I’m not an American,but also have a lot to be thankful for. Paul says in Phil 4v12-13 that he knows what its like to have plenty and to suffer need. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. If we feel its hard to be content,Christ will strengthen us!

  8. Such a thought-provoking post Courtney! Why are we as a blessed people (UK as well as USA) so discontent? perhaps it’s because we fail re: giving regular thanks to God. I am reminded of the text which teaches us” Godliness with contentment is great gain” ~ 1 Timothy 6:6

  9. oh this is so good and so eye opening! We really do ‘have it all’ don’t we?! I will think of this post often in the coming days anytime I am tempted to complain about things. THANK YOU Courtney! I love your blog, your insights and your wisdom. <3
    Kathy K

  10. Totally agree with you! It makes me so sad to see people take our country for granted. I have food, clothes, shelter, safety, love, and freedom. I am blessed.

  11. Love this and goes along so well with a book I am reading. We are blessed beyond measure, and yet we dont even see it. Its the increase of commericalism and the fact that we must have the latest and greatest. I pray that our attitudes will change that we will see how blessed we are and realize the reason we do have so much is so we can bless others with our blessings. Does that make sense? Just imagine if the Christains of America could somehow help that 30% that doesnt own a home, by giving the a warm meal, a coat from their closet, shelter from the storm. If we all did our part, helping, reaching out instead of letting the government take that role. Just imagine!! Anyway, thank you for sharing!!

  12. Amen sister, we are so blessed beyond measure! We are considered rich in other countries, but yet we still complain. I have Jesus…..and without Him we are nothing. Thank You Lord for all your wonderful, amazing, undeserved blessings you’ve bestowed upon us. Lord remind us to thank You everyday for them. In Jesus name amen.

    By His Grace,
    Adrienne

    God bless you sister

  13. I loved your summary of how well our needs are cared for here in the U.S.- from morning to night, we live in (mostly) comfort and security.

    However, I don’t think the survey question you are referring to is actually getting at this aspect of American life. I think it is asking Americans if they like what politicians are currently doing in Washington. It is perfectly possible to be very grateful about all the aforementioned luxuries of American life, but be very worried about the direction of the future. It is concerning that we, as a country, are trillions of dollars in debt. And, we have to wonder if the nation will be able to continue to afford to provide us with schools, roads, clean water, food and shelter for the needy, police, firefighters, income and healthcare for older folks, a military, social workers, etc. etc. In some ways, this question may reflect that some of us are very grateful for what our government provides, but are worried that it may not be there in the future.

  14. Courtney,
    I appreciate this post, and I am truly grateful to live in America where we have freedoms that we take for granted everyday. However, I am currently in a job that, for lack of a better word, I hate from day to day. I need my job, and I am thankful that I have a job in a time where many people do not. Even though I am thankful for this job, I don’t understand why God has placed me in a job that leaves me feeling upset, sad, and restless most days. I have worked at this job for almost six months, and I have yet to hear “thanks” from my manager. And there as been plenty of time for this seeing as I work 47.5 hours a week. This job makes me question why God put me in this situation; it causes arguements between my husband and me; and it leaves me feeling restless. I know that I am supposed to thank God in every situation no matter what, but that is so hard for me. Please help.

    1. Oh, Adriana, I so understand what you are going through. It’s is horrible to be in a job that is difficult and unfulfilling. I would just say to hang in there… keep looking for other options but try to “bloom where you’re planted” (love that saying, and I clung to it when we lived in frigid, flat Wisconsin when my heart was still in the sunny, mountain-y South). Continue to pray for things to improve where you are working. Remember, things don’t always stay the way they are today… whether good or bad. Yes, sometimes God calls us to endure for years, but often, our difficult times do begin to change and improve. So in another 6 months, maybe your manager will be replaced by a new one, or he/she will change his/her thinking and priorities, or you may have found something else.

      Finding your “niche” in the working world is a blessing that doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it’s wonderful. I’ve experienced that only twice in my working career (of more than 20 years), and I’m seeing my current “dream job” beginning to unravel.

      I’ll be praying for you, because I know how difficult it is to be in that type of situation. You can email me anytime, too. ((((hugs))) and a huge THANK YOU from me for your hard work and perseverance! 🙂

      Love,
      Michelle

      1. Thank you so much Michelle for your encouraging words! I’m trying my best to hang in there and be tough! I’m taking your advice to heart to “bloom where you’re planted” and to pray about the situation. Thank you again so much. You really have no idea how much your comments help.

        Love,
        Andriana

    2. I wonder the same thing too Andriana. I love what I do. Being a nurse and taking care of patients is what I always wanted to do but I despise the place where I’m currently employed and have been for over 6 yrs. I tried to look at the brightside of things, that I have a job that provides health insurance for me and my family. My job on a daily basis leaves me upset and sad. I’m a totally different person away from that place. I don’t like who I am when I’m at that place either but the conditions that upset me have yet to be changed. Ive prayed about it many times. I guess I just have to keep faith in God’s timing and know that is where He wants me to be right now.

  15. Wow! That one hit me like a 2×4! Thanks for the reminder that we live in what is still the greatest country in the world. God is good.

  16. This is definitely a wake up call! I think we get caught up in all of the “hooplah” that we take our fabulous country for granted. Thank you for sharing this!

    God bless,
    Jessica @ Proverbs Living

  17. America is a “leader” in the eyes of the world and she has been blessed because of our support to God’s nation, Israel! Discontentment is easy to get caught up into, but there is one thing that Christians in America can stand upon and that is the promises within God’s Word! We don’t have to fear terrorists – read Psalm 91 – God gave each of us an ANGEL in charge over us to protect us from ALL harm and diseases. We don’t have to fear financial success – do you not know that the Word tell us “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:25). We are the righteousness of God and we need NOT to be silent. We have 30 states with petitions to secede from the union and Texas has already surpassed the number of signatures needed… American government needs to wake up! The people do NOT want to be controlled by government… hence the reason why God NEVER intended for His people of Israel to have a king (government) but the people wanted it and God granted it. America is blessed, but if our government keeps pulling away from Israel and if our government keeps signing over more control to the U.N., America will be on the verge of one of the greatest downfalls in history. If anything, we as Christians need to stand united on the Word of God, not on what we “think” or “feel” and we need to be praying diligently because in this day and time, it’s only God who can intervene!

    1. Thank you Rebekah for saying very well what is on my heart. I believe we ARE truly blessed in SO many ways, but it is also an important time to be vigilant-a people of faith & action. I think many citizens in this country (surprisingly they are often women because we are “feelers”) think that by pointing out how our Government and culture is leading us from our core values- namely our Judeo-Christain ethic- that we are not thankful. All Christians and Americans MUST come together to protect our God-given rights that are embodied in what America has always stood for. Our rights and values are gradually being eroded via government, politics and division. Through prayer, trusting in our saving God ,vigilance and action on the part of Believers, we will overcome many of the current cultural trends and become an even stronger nation under God.

  18. I loved this, Courtney! We just got home from church the other day and it was cold in our house so I turned the heater on…just one little flip of a switch and warm air poured into our home and warmed us all up. Amazing! We are so blessed.

  19. We are discontent because our politicians and current/recent presidents have overspent for so long that our country is facing the reality of total fiscal FAILURE. What does that mean? All those lovely blessings you wrote about in your post will be gone. Overnight. The American dollar will be worth ZERO. Trade will come to a screeching halt. The government won’t be able to pay its employees, so all government services will cease. And if your dollars aren’t worth anything, what will you use to buy food? What will your employer pay you with? Unfortunately, we are running out of options really, really fast. The interest on our country’s debt now exceeds GDP. That means our country is not producing enough to even cover the interest payments on our debt! More than half of the country is getting some sort of government assistance. Our country needs LOTS of prayers for our leaders to wake up and put aside their selfish interests and do what is necessary to get our country out of the hole it is in. Divine intervention may be our only hope at this point.

  20. Firstly, I’m Australian with no connections to the USA at all apart from the fact that I have visited a couple of times.
    I read your post and said a hearty “Amen”. There’s a lot of angst right around the world particularly on political fronts and it is well worth remembering the points you have made, Courtney.
    Having had a read of some of the comments, I have some questions which are really bothering me… This has been niggling away at me for some months now, so I’m going to verbalise it…
    Do American Christians really believe it is their responsibility to keep American culture “Christianized” as some sort of standard bearer to the rest of the world? Do American Christians really think that national blessing – in these “times of the Gentiles” rests on foreign policy towards Israel? And do American Christians believe that God, in this Church age, has particlar national interests?

    The way I see it…. In the New Testament, the apostles never entered into political debates or even political opinions. They just preached the gospel. They never taught the new converts to influence popular culture. They taught them to be counter-cultural by living Christ-like lives. Is not the work of God in this New Testament Church age in the hearts and minds of people rather than on a national level? Surely our focus should be the Great Commission – preach, baptize, teach. Not lobby, rally, legislate!

    To quote a wonderful Godly man who was a missionary, preacher and writer in life and now is with the Lord – Geoffrey T. Bull – ” Christ did not come to manipulate society. In fact He did not even come to save society. He came to save sinners.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.