Contentment: the quality or state of being content.
Content: a resting or satisfaction of mind without disquiet; acceptance, submission, acquiescence (Webster’s definition).
What comes to mind when you think of contentment? For me, a feeling of peace and joy.
Peace with God (first and foremost), peace with what is happening in your life, peace with the situation you are in, and satisfaction with what we have.
Some of us struggle with discontentment related to things, always wanting more.
Others, such as myself, struggle with being content with how God made me.
With what kind of mother and wife I am.
It’s so easy to look at others and see how much better they have it (in our eyes), not realizing that there are hidden things that they struggle with that we don’t see.
Contentment will help you be happier.
After all, happiness and contentment are closely connected.
Comparison is the thief of Joy, therefore if you are not content with your lot in life, you will be robbed of your happiness.
Contentment seems to be such an elusive quality in this life!
1 Timothy 6:4 “Now Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
And it surely is. Contentment in our society is hard.
We are constantly bombarded with advertisements to trick us into believing that if we only have this or that, then we’ll be truly happy, living the blessed life.
Social media convinces us that everyone else has it all together, while we know the truth of how messy our life often is.
The devil is the chief of liars, and he will always try to sell us the idea that this thing or that experience will bring us happiness.
Yet it never seems to last.
Recognize discontentment for the sin it is.
Are we believing that God makes mistakes?
That he doesn’t really have everything in control?
God is far greater than all our troubles. Discontent is a state of the heart, for a truly unhappy person is never satisfied long.
Every day let’s remember Romans 8:28. “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
God will work everything to our good. He doesn’t say it will be easy for us. I find that the hardest parts of my life are what draw me closest to God.
Recognizing our purpose on this earth
Living a purpose-filled life brings contentment. We are called to live a life of love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22), and to do the work that God has set forth for us.
We aren’t called to have a lot of stuff, to be the perfect wife, to be the perfect mother, and definitely not called to be jealous of how others have it.
God created us differently from each other, and yet we are all created in his image. We have “gifts differing according to the grace given to us” Romans 12:6.
Related: 30+ Bible Verses About Faith
Are we supposed to be mediocre about areas we need to improve on?
No, of course not. We need to recognize the path we are on and live it to the BEST of our ability. Do everything as unto the Lord!
Ungratefulness leads to lack of contentment.
You often don’t have to look very far in order to find things to be thankful for.
It’s just a matter of changing perspective.
Make a habit of looking for five things daily that you are thankful for. You’ll be amazed at the way your mind changes.
We need to recognize that a lack of thankfulness is sin. For me, this always follows with lack of joy. Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, rejoice.”
Having an attitude of gratitude in all areas of life makes a huge difference in our outlook in life.
Contentment is a choice.
So today I choose to be content.
I choose to be grateful for all the wonderful things God has blessed us with. So many wonderful people and things.
I choose to look for the good things in life, rather than the bad. I choose to serve God in whatever area he wants me to be.