I have been thinking a lot about this subject recently. Contentment, I have to admit, is something I really struggle with. I find myself thinking all to often of the things I could have, or the things that should be, instead of the things that I am blessed with and the situation I am in now.
In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul writes, "Not 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 need."
Paul was a human being just like you and I, so I am sure he struggled to be content at times. Notice that he writes "for I have LEARNED," not 'I have always known'. Contentment isn't just the warm fuzzy feeling that everything is right in the world. Sometimes, and more often than not, contentment is more about acceptance; accepting pain, difficult circumstances, uncomfortable situations, or a lack of general comforts. It is something that must be practiced and learned.
I am positive that I am in the majority when it comes to a lack of contentment. Conversations I overhear, discussions at work, and chats that I have with friends are all too often about the problems that have occurred during the day or week. Many people, myself included, tend to dwell on the things that went wrong or the things that need improvement. Declarations of, 'if only I had this!' or, 'I just need more of that,' ensue, and pretty soon we all forget about the blessings that surround us.
In 1 Timothy 6:6-8 it says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
I don't know about you, but I have never been faced with trying to be content with only food and clothing. Here I am, struggling with contentment and I have a cozy home, a loving family, a car that works, an education, a closet full of clothing, a job, a refrigerator full of food...the list could go on for a very long time. Feeling content should be a breeze for me.
I am not just surrounded with blessings, however, and neither are you. That is the problem with the argument for contentment I have just made. Life has a multitude of problems that cannot be fixed with a little positive thinking. Even when we are thankful for the blessings we have, the problems we are faced with don't magically melt away. Have you ever stopped and thanked God for the place you are RIGHT NOW. Not for the place you could be if the problems were fixed, but the current, flawed, never-going-to-be-absolutely-perfect-or-even-slightly-okay place you are at?
I don't know about you, but I can count on one hand the number of times I have done that. The only advice I have on feeling content no matter what surrounds you is this: lean on God. He is the only One who can truly support us in the trials. When we have Him, we have everything we need. And therein lies true contentment. God will always be there for us. Since He is always with us, we can be satisfied in all situations knowing God is supporting us with His love and mercy. I believe that is how Paul found true contentment. Christ was His all, therefore what situation could possibly tear Him away from his only source of contentment?
Next time I struggle with feeling content, I will fall back on this question: Is Christ truly my Everything? If He is, then that is my reason to be satisfied. He knows what is in store for me and knows the reason for my struggles. He alone can provide the comfort I need. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee..." Psalm 55:22 It may take forever, but right now I am committing to practicing contentment until I can declare, as Paul did, that I am content no matter what state I am in. Like I said, it may take forever because I am far from perfect.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Psalm 23:1
The search for more is over. God has me in His loving arms whether the sun is shining or storms are raging. What more do I need?
