Contentment in Life

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.
¹⁴ Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
¹⁵ Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
¹⁷ Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
¹⁸ But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
¹⁹ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
²⁰ Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
²¹ Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
²² All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen  (Philippians 4:10-23)

 

By Pastor Kelly Sensenig

 A man walked into a mental institution one day and was taken on a tour. The tour saw one cell where the man was beating his head against the padded walls. He kept saying, "Linda, how could you do it? Linda, how could you do it?" The guide explained that the man was in love with Linda, and when Linda decided to marry another man instead of him, he drifted off into the ozone. He couldn't handle it. They went to the next cell, and there was a man saying, "Linda, Linda, how could this happen? Linda, Linda." The visitor said, "Who's he?" The guide said, "He's the man who married Linda!"

This illustrates to us that the grass is not always greener on the other side! It also teaches us an important lesson. Many times we are not content with where we are at in life and the circumstances that God allows to come into our lives. As a result, we can end up in the spiritual mental ward, if we are not content with what life brings our way. Many Christians are unfortunately always wishing for more, for more expensive cars and vacations, for that lottery ticket that might give them a big jackpot. They also are looking for better and more favorable circumstances. They think that life has sent them a lemon when things are not going according to their plans and schedules. The fact is this. Some Christians are never really satisfied with what life brings their way and with God’s sovereign purpose for their daily lives.

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Many Christians have forgotten that God has a purpose for every phase and change that comes into their lives. It’s our responsibility to walk by faith and experience contentment with God’s sovereign purpose for our lives. In this age of consumerism Christians often find themselves living for bigger and better things. However, in the end they discover that things never really do satisfy them, even after they acquire them.

When I was younger, I remember buying a used car with flip-up lights. I could turn a switch in the car and the headlights would pop up. I thought this was the greatest thing. I recall driving down the road flipping up those lights and thinking that I have purchased something that I will always be satisfied with. However, a year down the road the newness of the car wore off, and it became just like every other car that I had purchased. It was just another car for transportation. The point is this. When we look to find contentment in things, we will always come up short. This is because material things never can bring true and lasting contentment into our lives. This is because true contentment is not based upon material things but on an inner satisfaction that comes from God.

 Many Christians are beating their heads against the wall and are really crying out, “Lord, I am not satisfied or content with what I have. Give me something else to satisfy me.” Or we might say because of unfavorable circumstances, “God, I can’t take this anymore. I need some change in my life, and if you don’t mind, I would like it right now!”

 But in the midst of this mental war, which is going on within us, there is a still small voice that is crying out to our soul and saying: Be content with what you have in life and find contentment in every stage and change of life.

What is contentment anyway? Contentment is a spiritual state of satisfaction we can possess in our minds and hearts, in spite of what we have, or what we are experiencing in life. Contentment is when we possess an inner satisfaction of heart in the midst of the changing circumstances or our lives or in spite of the financial and monetary status of our lives. Our health, money, or job status may change, but in the midst of these changes, we can possess an inner satisfaction that comes from facing life in will of God and accepting His overall purpose for our lives.