Contentment. Isn’t this something we all want but difficult to get? In this warm and insightful article which appeared first here, Heart2Heart Counselor Karen Gaul walks you and me toward contentment. Karen poses these questions:
- What gets in the way of contentment?
- What do you value most?
- How do you respond when God says no?
- Will you choose eyes of faith?
I really thought I would have this one figured out by now. Life has been filled with all sorts of joys and sorrows and struggles and pleasant valleys, I have had years to learn to be content, and yet it seems that with each new cloud comes yet another time to learn this great character trait.
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4 that he “learned to be content in all things.” Did he learn contentment once and for all? Or did he have to relearn it each time something happened to him? I’m just curious.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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. Philippians 4:11-12
I can say that it takes me less time each time to find my way to that contented place but is it my initial go-to? I’m thinking not usually.
What Gets in the Way of Contentment?
So what keeps getting in the way? Me, that’s who. I still value things above what God values, and I value things above God. I wish I could say I don’t but that would not be truth. Then I read Romans 7 where Paul struggled with getting things right as well. This was in the later years of his life so was contentment one of those things he struggled with?
Then I am reminded,
“He who began a good work in me WILL bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6).
So there remains hope for me. Paul penned those words too, and believed them.
Will there always be a measure of depravity left inside of me? Yes. I will never be perfectly perfected until I walk through the gates of heaven. Click & Tweet! I will only be glorified and fully sanctified when I get there.
My salvation will be absolutely finished when I see Jesus face to face. Click & Tweet!So what keeps getting in the way? What things do I value that have the ability to bring me to a discontented (dissatisfied, disgruntled, unhappy, sullen, grumpy or grumbly) place? That is a good question and one worth digging into.
What Do You Value?
We can value all sorts of things.
- We can value comfort,
- We can value money in the bank,
- We can value time,
- We can value a person,
- We can value pleasure,
- We can value being in control and having our own way.
- We can place a very high value on being married or having children.
What things do you value?
Is it wrong to value the things I listed above? I like comfort, I like to feel good, I like things to go my way. Again I’m going with Paul.
He said everything is “permissible but not to be mastered by anything.” So if my valuing something causes me to be discontent, grumbly and sullen, then yes it is a value that has way too much importance attached to it.
What Is Your Response When God Says No?
It is a value that I am screaming that I need, and I want whomever to give it to me. And if I don’t get it then I will be sinful in how I respond. I don’t rationally think that through, but that is what my heart says and that is what comes rolling out of my mouth and works its way into my actions when I respond wrong. How I respond says a lot about what I think and believe about God.
It says He isn’t good, He can’t be trusted. Don’t most of our sin issues and our sinful responses come because we don’t trust God?
We are like the children of Israel who long for Egypt’s sweet veggies and fish, all the while in shackles. How absurd you think but that is us. We want our creature comforts and demands met (sweet veggies and fish). But they don’t deliver contentment or peace. Rather, they leave an empty ring of incompleteness, a hollow and endless tune.
Will You Choose Eyes of Faith?
What is your current position? Are you seeing it through the eyes of faith? Or, are you yearning for it to be different? Are you counting your struggle a privilege because you know God is up to something good in it? Or, are you frustrated and depressed because your life turned out or is currently where it is?
Truths to Ponder:
He is enough. He is enough when your life isn’t what you had dreamed it would be.
God is your strength when you can’t get out of bed to face one more day. Click & Tweet!He is your Rock and your sure foundation to stand on when it feels like everything around you is falling away.
He is enough when you really, really want what you value. God is enough when life is overwhelming and confusing. Click & Tweet! In fact, God is more than enough, you will see.
Paul learned contentment.
The most important thing to Paul was being able to reflect the glory of Jesus, to preach him, to live him and then to be with him. There is no greater prize. My prayer is, “Lord, let me value you above all more and more and more each day, and learn contentment.”
Sharing Hope with Your Heart,
