Rules For Contentment by Missionary Ella Spee

1.) Never allow yourself to complain about anything – not even the weather.

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (Philippians 2:14)

2.)  Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else (don’t let your imagination run away with you)

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11)

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (I Timothy 6:8)

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)

3.)  Never compare your lot with another.

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. (Psalm 16:5)

4.)  Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise (what might have been…thank God for the present)

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalm 37:23)

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (Philippians 3:13)

5.)  Never dwell on tomorrow – that is God’s, not ours!!

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:34)

Taken from the journal of Ella Spee, Missionary to Africa for 52 years (scripture added)