Contentment?

We live in a society that is programmed to be discontented. When you stop and think about it, the goal of advertising is to make you discontented with what you have. Consider commercials for cars, trucks, computers, cell phones, food, soft drinks, cereals, even prescription drugs.

Instead of being content we think, “If I just had more money in the bank, or the right job or get that new car, truck or gadget, then I will be satisfied.” So, we buy some more new stuff but once the novelty wears off, we are right back where we started – discontented. You’re never going to be happy if stuff controls the content of your life.

God wants you to learn the secret of contentment.

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

When you become a Christian, you learn that God has a wonderful plan for your life. His desire is for you to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. He was the perfect, sinless God-man, who only did the will of the Father.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29

Obviously, we don’t live in a perfect world. We’re going to encounter difficulties, problems and even tragedies in this life. We live in a fallen world that has been marred by sin. If we could have it our way, nothing would ever go wrong. But the fact is, life is full of toil and trouble. We have pain and suffering, and we die. There are disabilities, marital problems, financial problems, unemployment, problems with children, legal problems, interpersonal conflicts and addictions. How do we learn to cope?

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

One way to make forged steel is to heat the metal to very high temperatures. The higher the temperature, the easier it is for the metal to take shape and less likely to crack under pressure. Forged steel is heated and pounded so that the metal becomes stronger than before. Believe it or not, you can become stronger through the trials and problems of life.

Consider what the apostle Paul went through, and look at his attitude. He learned the secret of contentment.

I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Contentment is something that has to be learned. Paul learned to be content by trusting God when life’s mountains seem insurmountable. He could deal with suffering and beatings and imprisonment, and discouragement and hunger, because he learned to be content in every situation of life. His faith was not in material possessions, but in God. You too can learn the secret of contentment by trusting in God.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13