Chasing Contentment

Contentment is a very desirable state in life that is both hard to describe and very illusive.  It seems that each time one reaches a goal that one believes would bring contentment, the bar moved to a higher position.  When asked the meaning of contentment, one may think of a state of being satisfied; however, there is a thin line between a state of satisfaction and complacency.  One has stated, “To be contented with one’s lot is a thing to be desired; to be contented with one’s self is a thing to be dreaded.”[1]

The world system tells us that if one had more money, a better job, larger house, a nicer car, or other tangible items that contentment would be the result.  How long did the contentment last after your last raise at work?  Did the raise cause you to enjoy your job more or lessen the pain of going to work?  When one thinks of contentment as external influences, it is like chasing a shadow—constantly on the move.  One has stated, “If we are not content with what we have, we will never be content with what we want.”[2]

The dictionary tells us the meaning of contentment is, “the state of being content.”  Now that really tells one a lot.  We could take the word content and accept the meaning as, “what is contained inside.”  The Apostle Paul tells us of his own experience, “…..I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”[3]  Paul did not focus on “why?” why me?” or “what if?”  He tried to make the best out of every situation and focus on the positives rather than the trials.  His encouragement was to focus on the opportunities of the circumstances and not on the problems.

If contentment is a learned position, then things achieved cannot replace the knowledge gained in training.  Learned behaviors require constant study and continual applications because the testing times will come, and one is never more ready to learn than at examination time.  So, how do we learn contentment?  It comes by realizing as Paul that, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”[4]

Contentment is living in a state where the negatives or challenges of life do not control our actions or take away our hope.  It is really being able to take control of ones life in every situation and with the help of the Lord be confident in the fact that, “I can make it.”  Contentment really comes from a heart grounded in gratitude, surrounded by love and full of hope.

Through my disappointments, strife and discontentment
I cast my every care on the Lord.
No matter what obsession, pain or deep depression
I'm standing on the solid rock.[5]

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[1] V.W. Hutton

[2] Bill Gothard

[3] Philippians 4:11-12 NIV

[4] Philippians 4:13 NIV

[5] Ben Speer