How to be Content
Sometimes our lives can feel overwhelming. Work can be demanding. The people around us can be difficult. Our responsibilities can feel like heavy weights. Maybe you are reaping the fruit of previously bad decisions. Sometimes problems feel like they are beyond fixing.
How do you carry on when it feels like the weight of the world is crashing down around you?
Contentment is your secret weapon. Being content means you have a mind that is at peace and completely satisfied, regardless of the circumstances around you. Complaints, objections, and arguments indicate a lack of contentment. Discontentment causes worry and anxiety that can paralyze us from action or lead us to try to fill the void in our hearts with something temporal.
“[6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
The difference between content and contention begins with “I”. Oftentimes, we selfishly hold ourselves to expectations that are worldly and vain, derived from what the world promotes will make us happy or content. To get a bigger house, a newer car, a nicer vacation, a fancy title, or a better job, people scratch and claw their way up the ladder only to find that there is always another rung that will never satisfy their soul. We believe what the world says we need, instead of what God says we need.
To be content, we must recognize we already have all we need in Christ alone. To be content, we need prayer and the correct perspective from God’s word which brings peace and hope: it is not about us, but God!
Contentment comes from knowing and reminding yourself of who you are in Christ. Through the grace of Christ, you are saved, unconditionally loved, and are a new creature. Nothing you do can take that away and nothing you do can make you more loved. Don’t try to earn what is freely given, because you can’t. Don’t think you’re beyond the reach of Christ’s love, because you’re not! (Rom 3:23-26, 5:8, 8:35-39, 2Co 5:17)
“[4] Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. [5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. [10] But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:4-13
When you take a step back and consider all that God has done and continues to do for you by His grace, it calms your mind, quiets your heart, and allows you not to worry. It can transform your thinking to see difficult situations as opportunities for growth and to glorify God’s grace (Rom 5:1-5, 8:18).
Another thief of contentment is comparisons to others. In a world filled with social media and constant advertisements, it can be easy to get swept away in what we don’t have, what we don’t look like, or who we are not in the world.
“[7] Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?...[12]For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” – 2 Corinthians 10:7a, 12
If you seek validation or worth in your spouse, your parents, your family, your friends, your career, your net worth, your title, and your possessions, you will never be satisfied. Christ and what He has done for you is the only thing that can satisfy your soul (Psa 63:1-8, Rom 8:6, 15:13). When we start to comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ’s love, we are strengthened in our inner man and can walk with contentment instead of contention (Eph 3:14-21).
