Contentment is a state of the heart, not a state of affairs.
In the past year God has called my attention, again and again, to my state of contentment, or lack thereof, and I have pushed Him out in this area of my life. I didn't want to admit that I was discontented. I think many of us, myself included, use discontentment as a way to receive attention. If I complain about some small physical ailment I have, people may pity me, and I will obtain attention.
Picture a window - this window represents how you view life. It is a beautiful window, looking out on a golden desert with majestic mountains in the background and wild flowers that scatter the landscape. However, instead of spending your time gazing outside, at the beautiful surroundings, you study the smudge of mud on the window.
How many times have we complained about our own lot - that we view as so poor? As Christians, we have accepted the gift of eternal life with God. He supplies everything we need - when we need it. He will never leave us or forsake us! So why are we not content?
I see the lack of contentment in our culture today as a huge problem. I believe we look at our neighbor's yard and envy them. Why can't we plant flowers in our own yard?
Contentment Confessions
I am not writing this as someone who has mastered being content with her own set of problems and blessings. Quite the opposite, I struggle with this daily.
I do not want to wake up one morning, in thirty years, and realize that I have set an extremely poor, unrighteous example for my children in the area.
Why should Christians conform to the low standards the world has set? Why should we be discontent? The answer... we shouldn't.
Altered Views
Philippians 4:4-9 says:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Does looking at the mud on our windows enable us to set our minds on that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute? I don't think it does.
Conclusion
Lets examine our own hearts. I choose to strive, everyday, to have a calm, content heart. Lets live like Paul in Philippians 4: 11-13
" Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
Written by
C.E. Hansen
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