Contentment doesn’t feel like a word or topic that is discussed very often. We speak of people’s feelings, emotions and mental state, but not the idea of being content. Which is surprising, as when we think about it, we live in a very discontented world. Everything around us is driven by discontentment.
This discontentment can come from many things: being dissatisfied by a relationship, work, or the circumstances you are currently in.
These can take all sorts of forms in our lives and manifest themselves in many different ways, such as envying, anger, bitterness or even worry and anxiety. These emotions often come from a root of discontentment.
The Apostle Paul teaches us that we can achieve contentment in Philippians 4 v 11-13: “For I have learned that whatever state I am, to be content, I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Paul tells us that contentment is something we must learn. “I have learned.”
The only way to do this is through Christ who strengthens us, it is something God wants to teach us, something we must practise every day to achieve.
Do you want to find that contentment?
The best way to do this is to approach God, read his word The Bible and follow his ways.
As Jesus teaches us in Matthew 11v28: “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
The word labour here is for those physically tired and the words heavy laden means mentally exhausted, when we are in this way we can find our rest, our refreshment and satisfaction in the Lord God.
In 1 Timothy 6v6-11, we are advised: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we carry nothing out … Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and into many foolish and harmful lusts … But flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”