(864) 877-9813
September 5, 2005
Treatment Plan for Ms. Malcontent
by Marianne Carpenter
Ms. Malcontent is a 30-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with malcontentment, also known as ÒBut God if only Syndrome.Ó Her chief symptoms are greed, independence and idolatry. Greed is wanting what God has not given, independence is refusal of what God has given, and idolatry is worshiping what is given. The patient evidences the Òbut God if only SyndromeÓ as she keeps saying: but God if only I were married, but God if only I had a baby, but God if only I had a better job, but God if only I had a bigger house, or but God if only I had more money. These are signs of discontent.
Dr. Wisdom has suggested the following treatment be applied:
For greed I prescribe trust therapy ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purposeÓ (Romans 8:28). For independence I prescribe obedience therapy ÒAnd Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than menÓ (Acts 5:29). For idolatry, I prescribe gratitude therapy ÒEnter into His gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His nameÓ (Psalm 100:4).
Successful outcome will be when patient is able to trust God to give her what she needs today. ÒNot that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer needÓ (Philippians 4:11,12).
Following treatment, Ms. Malcontent should be able to say with Elisabeth Elliot: ÒI know that the secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.Ó
Follow up therapy:
All the way my Savior leads me--What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who thru life has been my Guide?
HeavÕnly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whateÕer befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
Fanny Crosby
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