Just Enough

Are you okay living from provision to provision?

Change in perspective

I have read about the children of Israel countless times in the book of Exodus. I honestly use to get so upset with them when God provided them with manna, then they complained about it. Then he gave them quail and then they complained about that. In that time they never went to God, they only complained to Moses. However, the primary part that frustrated me was the fact that they believed they were better off in Egypt under Pharaoh when hard times hit. I spoke to my wife and about this to see what her perspective was. She explained it to me in a simple way. She said “In Egypt they knew what to expect.” No matter how hard things were or got, they knew when and what to expect. Then it hit me. As I have been unemployed since April of this year, I had to change my perspective on provisions. I had to focus on God as my provider and not my job. I realized my job was consistency for me. In the last 12 years, I never had to worry where the money was coming from. However, things are different now, I have to trust God differently and that is uncomfortable for me to do.

I have always asked God to increase my faith but never realized how scary it is living from provision to provision, and having to rely on God entirely. The children of Israel were scared, and out of their element. Their go-to for issues was complaining to Moses, who was not the source. Not once did they seek the Lord God himself. They became so fixated on Moses being their source and when they felt he didn’t come through they would look elsewhere. They even fashioned a golden calf to worship when Moses went up the mountain to speak with God. Their provider was gone so they needed a new one. Eventually, they should have learned to trust God after they left Egypt. Often when our provisions change, it is time for a change in perspective, in either the situation or life in general.

Change in comfort

When its time for a change in perspective, it’s hard. Its something most of us don’t want to do. We have to admit where we are isn’t where we need to be, automatically rejecting where we use to be. This can mean a change in attitude, surroundings, relationships or anything that has created a level of stability we cling to. The thing that makes us more uncomfortable than anything is losing the “know factor” about a thing. We as humans put great stock in what we know and that provides us with either a sense of comfort or a direction for creating comfort. When we don’t have a “know factor”, we have to rely something other than ourselves for information that is disseminated piece by piece. We want to be in control and we want to determine what happens in our lives and when it does. However, for us to truly trust God, we will need to depend on him. That will involve a level of discomfort that we must get use to and understand is a part of the process of faith and trusting God. We must remind ourselves “ITS OKAY TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE”. Society has us programmed to avoid and adjust anytime a sense of potential discomfort is felt or seen. God, however, wants us to move passed using our feelings and emotions to determine what we place our faith in. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says we live by faith and not by sight. Sight meaning, what we hear, see, feel or anything else that involves our senses.

Understanding the importance

I find for real change the take place in most cases, our understanding must increase. This may be a broader understanding of how something works or just a better understand of somethings value. Changing our perspective and accepting discomfort as a normal part of this Christian life isn’t something that is easy but is needed. Quite simply put Hebrews 11:6 says “but without faith it is impossible to please God.” The main focus of the Christian life is please God, and if we are unable to handle being uncomfortable or paradigm shift how can we ever grow in God? How can we ever see what we experience as a deeper love and understanding of God? In order for us grow and truly experience the fullness of God we must be okay with having “just enough”. No matter how uncomfortable it feels or how weak it my look, it’s a part of the process.

When we aren’t okay with “Just enough”

• When we are not okay with “Just enough”, we are constantly looking for the next thing. We cannot ever truly learn from a situation in life if we aren’t mentally present. We cannot truly contribute to the present conditions of our relationships if we are only focused on the future and what we believe is lacking. We cannot enjoy our relationships or the small moments when we aren’t presently there. Sometimes we become so used to looking to create “extra”, the measure of “extra” increases to a point that is unrecognizable and becomes about the end game, not the experience.
• When we are not content with “Just enough”, discontentment spreads to different parts of our lives. We begin to look for parts to move, change or adjust at the first sign of discomfort. We begin to connect the feeling of discomfort with the lack of growth. At times this may make us feel behind like we are missing something or if we aren’t progressing we are digressing. However, growth is not always visible nor is it always felt pleasantly or comfortably. This discontentment will lead to demands in our relationships that people are unable to fulfill. We will set unrealistic standards we expect others to reach. When someone in a relationship makes us feel discomfort, we run rather that work through it. Not being okay with having just enough teaches us to run rather than stay and fight. We believe its fighting but we are really staying busy enough to avoid what we don’t want to feel.
• When we are not content with “Just enough”, we will make ourselves the center of everything that we can. When I am not content with having “Just enough” I am only focused on the feeling of discomfort I have and getting rid of it by any means necessary. This creates an emotional “fight or flight” or survival mode. No matter the cost, I will rid myself of this discomfort because I believe it is wrong and a sign to move or change something. I will make changes that will not only inconvenience those around me but change the course of relationships and limit positive interactions. Typically the best relational interactions are when we aren’t focused on meeting our needs but express concerns for whether someone else’s needs are being met.
• When we are not content with “Just enough”, we begin to believe the end justifies the means. We will constantly be in a survival mode. When in survival mode we will use whatever resource around we to accomplished the desired task. We considering the consequences because what’s most important is the “now”. We can so easily lose focus on how what we do today will impact our tomorrow by making a long-term decision based on a short -term feeling. The discomfort is temporary and will come and go. However, we tend to think the worse and expect it to last forever. The longer we don’t view it as temporary, the longer it won’t be temporary. We need to view these seasons as just that, “seasons”.

When we are content with having “Just enough”

• When we are content with “Just enough”, we have fewer expectations for those around us. Most expectations I have set in my relationships are to make up for or compensate for who I am or what I am not. But when we are okay with having “just enough” our relationships become less about needs and more about making room for who others are.
• When we are content with “Just enough”, we are disappointed less. We will be less disappointed because we won’t have to compare where we are to where we were or where we want to be. Often time fantasy and reminiscing can be dangerous if done out of spite for where we are.
• When we are content with “Just enough”, we are more fluid when it comes to God’s will. When Just enough is okay, I become more fluid with God’s will. I have less demands and more gratitude. I am so busy thanking him for what he gave me and caring for it, I have no time to complain about what I believe I deserve.
• When we are content with “Just enough”, we are more grateful all around and it spreads. Being grateful is contagious and spreads. We begin to see everything and everyone in our life as just the right amount for the season we are in. Just as the sun is just hot enough to warm the earth but not scorch it, God is just as intentional with everything and everyone in our lives.
• When we are content with “Just enough”, we are enough. We will become content with our flaws and mistakes. Won’t try and fit the mold of others anymore or wear mask. We will be bold in who God wants us to be and not who people want us to be. We will no longer be a product of our environment or those around us but rather products of God’s grace.