Learning to be content...

Hi!

I have been thinking a lot about the subject of contentment as of late. God’s view of contentment and the worlds view are at complete opposites of the spectrum.

So as I studied about this I sought out answers to my question on developing a heart of contentment and here is what I found. I pray that this may be of an encouragement to each of you.

Developing a heart of Contentment can be challenging in the midst of difficult life circumstances. Contentment is defined as “having an ease of mind or satisfaction.”

Contentment from a biblical perspective is much more than mere satisfaction with life. For the Christian, the dictionary definition of contentment merely reflects the outward manifestation of his or her deep inner convictions. The wise Christian develops contentment by embracing three key truths found in Scripture.

1. Confidence in God’s Sovereignty-Ephesians 1:11
God’s sovereignty implies that God is the supreme ruler and authority, that He ordains whatever comes to pass, and that His divine purpose is always accomplished. We will never fully comprehend God’s ways, plans or purposes. We must walk in faith, trusting in the fact that God is accomplishing His perfect, sovereign plan.

2. God’s Goodness-Psalm 31:19
God is not a good God only when good things are happening in one’s life and a bad God when bad things are in one’s life. The goodness of God endures continually. God’s goodness is not dependent upon the events or circumstances. Rather, God is always, unchangeably a good God, though in the midst of difficult circumstances this is often hard to reconcile. When life events seem their worst, the truth of His forgiveness will remain one constant reminder of God’s goodness. A wise Christian can be content with life due to the fact that he or she serves a good God.

3. God’s Work-Psalm 106:2
God orchestrates every event in life for our earthly and eternal good. He is using each circumstance, each person, each experience, to mold us and shape us into the person He would have us be. He is molding us, shaping us, and pruning us through all of life’s circumstances, good or bad. The wise Christian accepts with contentment the unique work of God that he is completing in his or her life.

Developing contentment is not passively giving up, but rather a confident patience to see a circumstance resolved in God’s perfect timing. This confidence comes from the biblical truths that God is sovereign, God is good, and God is completing His work. Don’t waste precious time or energy worrying about or questioning God’s work in your life. Invest your time and energy in sacrificing and meeting the needs of others. Develop your own gifts and abilities in the midst of unresolved life circumstances. The wise Christian cultivates the principle of contentment in his or her own life.

I pray that as you think about contentment that you will use these three key truths to measure where you are at in this journey of contentment.
Knowing that Romans 8:28 says All things work together for good, to them that love God and to those who are called according to His purpose.

Blessings,

Deb