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Welcome to the 99 relapses podcast.

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I'm your host, James Egidio, and

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online Christian recovery coach, and counselor.

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In today's devotional, I'll be talking about Cultivating

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Contentment. In a world

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that constantly bombards us with messages

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of dissatisfaction and the pursuit of

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more, cultivating contentment

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can be a challenge. However,

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as followers of Christ, we are called

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to find our satisfaction in him

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and to resist the temptations

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of addiction. In this devotional,

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let us explore the biblical perspective

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on contentment and how it can help us navigate

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the path of recovery. The

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apostle Paul provides us with a powerful example

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of contentment in Phillipians

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4:11-13. Where

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he says, "I have learned to be content,

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whatever the circumstances. I

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know what it is to be in need, and I know

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what it is to have plenty. I have learned

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the secret of being content in any and

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every situation, where they're

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well fed or hungry, whether living in

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plenty or in want. I can do

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all this through him who gives me strength."

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Despite facing various trials and challenges,

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Paul discovered the secret of contentment. Relying

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on the strength and provision of Christ.

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Contentment does not come from external circumstances,

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but from our internal posture and reliance

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on God. As we walk

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the path of recovery, it is crucial to understand

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that addiction often stems from a deep

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sense of discontentment. We may have

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sought relief in substances or destructive

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behaviors to fill the void within us. However

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true contentment can only be found in our relationship

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with God. In Psalm

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107:9 declares

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for he is satisfies the thirsty and fills

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the hungry with good things." The

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fulfillment and satisfaction we long for can

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only be found in God who abundantly

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provides for our needs. Contentment

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does not mean complacency or settling for less

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than God's best for our lives. Rather,

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it's an attitude of gratitude and then trusting

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God's perfect plan. In Hebrews

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13:5. It reminds us,

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keep your lives free from the love of money and

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be content with what you have. Because

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God has said never. Will I leave, you never

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will. I forsake you." we

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can find contentment and knowing that God is with

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us and will never abandon us,

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regardless of our circumstances. He

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is our ultimate source of security and satisfaction.

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In our journey of recovery. We may encounter moments

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of temptation, when the allure

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of addiction tries to entice us back into its

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grips. However, contentment

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acts as a shield. Protecting

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us from those temptations. In

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1 Timothy 6:6

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it states, but Godliness

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with contentment is great gain". When

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we prioritize our relationship with God

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and find our contentment in Him, we

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gain the strength to resist the empty promises

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of addiction. Our focus

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shifts from seeking temporary relief to embracing

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the enduring joy and peace that only come

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from God. Contentment

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also opens our eyes to the blessings and beauty that

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surround us. We learned to appreciate

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the simple things in life and to find joy

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in God's creation. And

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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

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Paul instructs us to "Rejoice always,

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pray, continually give thanks in all

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circumstances. This is God's

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will for you in Christ jesus. By

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cultivating a heart of gratitude and contentment.

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We develop a perspective that recognizes

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the goodness of God, even in the midst of

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challenges. Let us challenge ourselves

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to cultivate contentment in our lives.

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Embrace the truth that God's

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love and provision are sufficient for

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us. Resist the allure of

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addiction by finding our satisfaction

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in Him. Open our hearts to gratitude

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and celebrate the blessings. God has bestowed

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upon us. As we choose contentment,

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we will find the strength to persevere.

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Joy in the journey, and

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the ability to risk the temptations that may come

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our way. May we continually seek

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God's presence, and find contentment

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in His love, and experience the freedom

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that comes from living a life rooted in him.

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I want to challenge you to cultivate contentment

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in your lives by seeking God's presence and finding

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your satisfaction in Him. In

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a world that constantly encourages us to chase after

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more and never be satisfied. Let us choose a different

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path. Take a moment to reflect

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on your life and the areas where you may be struggling with

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Discontentment. Is

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it in material, possessions, relationships,

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or in the circumstances of your recovery journey?

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Whatever it may be, surrender those areas to

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God and ask him to help you find contentment

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in Him alone. Challenge yourself

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to practice gratitude daily, make

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a conscious effort to count your blessings.

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Both big and small, and express gratitude

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for God for them. Start a gratitude

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journal. Or simply take a few minutes

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each day to thank Him for His provision

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and faithfulness in your life. When

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you find yourself longing for more or

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comparing yourself to others. Refocus

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your thoughts on God's love and faithfulness.

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Remember that he is always with you and his plans

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for your good. Trust in His timing

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and his provision, knowing that He will

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meet your needs, according to His perfect

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plan. Thanks for

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tuning in to this episode, devotional

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of the 99Relapses podcast.

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If you enjoyed this devotional, don't forget

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to check out my previous episodes

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for more inspiring stories of recovery and

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tips to help you overcome your own struggles.

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You can find all my episodes and devotionals

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on your favorite podcast app or on

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my website, which is the number 99Relapses.org.

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That's. The number 99Relapses.org.

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And if you really love what you hear, be sure to leave

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me a review on apple podcasts or wherever

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you listen to your favorite podcast episodes.

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Your support really helps me reach out to even

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more people who may need to hear these important messages.

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Thank you for listening and God Bless