Contentment. What is that? If you’ve heard the word, you probably have some idea of what it means. When you start to understand the intricacies of contentment the more time you spend reflecting on it.
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Contentment can be defined as a type of “satisfaction” or “happiness.” or an “ease of mind.” Contentment doesn’t mean we don’t want more. Instead, it’s about being okay with what is and accepting that what you currently have is enough.
1 Timothy 6:6 NIV But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Often, we are worn down by concerns of having enough money, enough relationships, enough time, and the list goes on. If we were to adopt a contented mindset, we might still want more, but we certainly wouldn’t be worn down by our worries.
Matthew 6:25 NIV Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
A Mindset of Strength
Knowing what contentment is doesn’t quite explain how to get there. In the passage from Paul, we don’t get a literal definition of the word, but he does illustrate a contented mindset. He, a man who was stoned, imprisoned, sick, and afflicted with much more, says that he learned how to make do with a little and with a lot. This means that he went through seasons of life where there was plenty of good, and seasons where good was lacking. In whichever place he found himself, Paul discovered how to thrive.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 NIV [23] Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. [24] Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, [26] I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. [27] I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. [28] Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Philippians 4:12 NIV [12] 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.
He was not worn down with worries. On the contrary, he felt empowered. Christ strengthened him.
2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Needless to say, that’s probably the kind of mindset you want for yourself and your loved ones. There are several ways to find contentment, but let's focus on the big ones that you can start implementing in your life today.
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Contentment can be defined as a type of “satisfaction” or “happiness.” or an “ease of mind.” Contentment doesn’t mean we don’t want more. Instead, it’s about being okay with what is and accepting that what you currently have is enough.
1 Timothy 6:6 NIV But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Often, we are worn down by concerns of having enough money, enough relationships, enough time, and the list goes on. If we were to adopt a contented mindset, we might still want more, but we certainly wouldn’t be worn down by our worries.
Matthew 6:25 NIV Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
A Mindset of Strength
Knowing what contentment is doesn’t quite explain how to get there. In the passage from Paul, we don’t get a literal definition of the word, but he does illustrate a contented mindset. He, a man who was stoned, imprisoned, sick, and afflicted with much more, says that he learned how to make do with a little and with a lot. This means that he went through seasons of life where there was plenty of good, and seasons where good was lacking. In whichever place he found himself, Paul discovered how to thrive.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 NIV [23] Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. [24] Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, [26] I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. [27] I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. [28] Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Philippians 4:12 NIV [12] 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.
He was not worn down with worries. On the contrary, he felt empowered. Christ strengthened him.
2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Needless to say, that’s probably the kind of mindset you want for yourself and your loved ones. There are several ways to find contentment, but let's focus on the big ones that you can start implementing in your life today.
1. Flee Sin
If you are not content already, chances are sin might be getting in the way. Often, in life, we can easily discern what others are doing wrong, but we seldom have such a critical eye when examining ourselves.
Spend some time reflecting on why you don’t feel content. Do you constantly desire more because of a lack of self-control, because of bad role models, because of addiction, or something else? The sooner we get out of our own way, the closer we come to finding contentment.
Luke 12:15 NIV [15] Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
2. Pray Constantly
Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Talk to him about what troubles you and how you want to put those troubles in the past. He can not only bless you with His perfect peace but also help you see the ways in which you (or others) are holding you back. The more transparent we can be with God, the more we invite Him to work in our lives.
Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
3. Express Gratitude
The Bible encourages us to give thanks, and most believers do just that. We recognize that gratitude is important and thus, we say thanks for acts of service, and gifts. However, many of us don’t recognize just how grateful we ought to be. Perhaps, what Paul discovered is that while there are obvious blessings we know to thank God for, there are also blessings that will go unseen if we allow it. Someone holding the door open for you is much more obvious than being able to use the restroom without any pain, or sleep in a bed, or have a job. Imagine what your mindset would look like if you actively sought out these often-forgotten blessings.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
4. Refine Your Perspective
If there’s a certain way you’re used to thinking and you want to think in a new, better way, then there’s work you must put in. No one controls you but you. Therefore, if you want to be more content, make a list of ways in which you need to alter any negative beliefs holding you back. For example, some people say that they will not be happy until X happens. That could be marriage, having a child, or finding a job. Rather than holding yourself captive, learn to be content with God and with what you do have, in the present.
Proverbs 16:8 NIV Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
5. Remember Those Blessings
God has come through on your behalf before, and He’ll do it again. Scripture tells us repeatedly that He keeps His promises. When He does, don’t fall into the normal human tendency to forget. If you need to, write those blessings down in a journal or somewhere else where you will get a visual reminder. And when you need to, seek out that reminder. The more you think about what God has done, the more you will realize what He can and will do.
Psalms 23:1-6 NIV [1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. [4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (emphasis mine)
There’s no need to be discontent, but we trick ourselves into such a mindset because we’re flawed, sinful, and human. However, like Paul, we can turn our human weaknesses on their heads and become men and women who are content. Why? Because Christ strengthens us.
Philippians 4:13 NIV I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
If you are not content already, chances are sin might be getting in the way. Often, in life, we can easily discern what others are doing wrong, but we seldom have such a critical eye when examining ourselves.
Spend some time reflecting on why you don’t feel content. Do you constantly desire more because of a lack of self-control, because of bad role models, because of addiction, or something else? The sooner we get out of our own way, the closer we come to finding contentment.
Luke 12:15 NIV [15] Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
2. Pray Constantly
Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Talk to him about what troubles you and how you want to put those troubles in the past. He can not only bless you with His perfect peace but also help you see the ways in which you (or others) are holding you back. The more transparent we can be with God, the more we invite Him to work in our lives.
Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
3. Express Gratitude
The Bible encourages us to give thanks, and most believers do just that. We recognize that gratitude is important and thus, we say thanks for acts of service, and gifts. However, many of us don’t recognize just how grateful we ought to be. Perhaps, what Paul discovered is that while there are obvious blessings we know to thank God for, there are also blessings that will go unseen if we allow it. Someone holding the door open for you is much more obvious than being able to use the restroom without any pain, or sleep in a bed, or have a job. Imagine what your mindset would look like if you actively sought out these often-forgotten blessings.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
4. Refine Your Perspective
If there’s a certain way you’re used to thinking and you want to think in a new, better way, then there’s work you must put in. No one controls you but you. Therefore, if you want to be more content, make a list of ways in which you need to alter any negative beliefs holding you back. For example, some people say that they will not be happy until X happens. That could be marriage, having a child, or finding a job. Rather than holding yourself captive, learn to be content with God and with what you do have, in the present.
Proverbs 16:8 NIV Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
5. Remember Those Blessings
God has come through on your behalf before, and He’ll do it again. Scripture tells us repeatedly that He keeps His promises. When He does, don’t fall into the normal human tendency to forget. If you need to, write those blessings down in a journal or somewhere else where you will get a visual reminder. And when you need to, seek out that reminder. The more you think about what God has done, the more you will realize what He can and will do.
Psalms 23:1-6 NIV [1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. [4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (emphasis mine)
There’s no need to be discontent, but we trick ourselves into such a mindset because we’re flawed, sinful, and human. However, like Paul, we can turn our human weaknesses on their heads and become men and women who are content. Why? Because Christ strengthens us.
Philippians 4:13 NIV I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
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