Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Philippians 4:11 ESV
Well….I cannot say that I have learned to be content under all circumstances. Let’s be honest, contentment is hard. However, I can testify to God’s provision in my life and I am content in His provision.
Are you content with your life?
Most days, I do believe that I am content until I am not. You rise in the morning on time, you have time to stop for coffee, say hello to your barista and plenty of time to get to the office. You pull out of the drive thru, exit to the main road and suddenly have to come to a complete stop because traffic is backed up. Now you are going to be late. Your appointment does not show on time either, and you lose a sale. Then you received a notification that your account has been compromised and they have shut down your debit card.
How do we find contentment in situations like that?
Your life seems to be moving forward somewhat smoothly; bills are paid, food on the table, clothes to wear. However, you have been repressing the stuff that is hurtful, overwhelming and abusive. The hidden abuse has reared its ugly head and choices have to be made. The next chapters of your life are unknown, and fear threatens to take you under.
To be content you have to be accepting of all the things you have, all the things you do not have, and it has to be a balance of the good, bad, what you lack and what you have in abundance. That is a struggle for me. It has to be a struggle for anyone. Contentment is hard, and sometimes, being discontent is a good sign that change is necessary.
Contentment’s dictionary definition is a state of happiness and satisfaction. As we all know a state of happiness is fleeting and maintaining satisfaction in all is honestly impossible. So, when we unpack the Bible’s definition of being content, we have to understand that it’s a leaning on Jesus in our state of unhappiness and dissatisfaction. It is finding joy in the sadness. It is a serenity in knowing no matter the circumstance God is in control. It is God’s fulfillment of our needs and desires and our willingness to let go of our selfishness in wanting and desiring things outside of God’s fulfillment.
Discontentment engulfs me when things are out of wack. Could be something major, or something minimal and unimportant. But it generally leads to expose something I need to do or work on. One thing is certain, God knows our struggles and he is in the mess with us.
Listen to these scriptures on being content and how I believe this applies to finding Godly contentment:
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free of the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Why does he say stay free of the love of money? Because it leads to discontentment. Money drives us to want more. God is enough and he will never leave.
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation, I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Life is up and down. Sometimes we have plenty and sometimes we do not, however, this scripture gives us the answer to it, the secret to face both is to draw on God’s strength at all times.
I Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of this world. But, if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
My mother used to say to myself and my three brothers when we were fighting over something, “God brought you into this world and he can take you out”. Maybe not the same, but that is what it brought to my mind, and it is true. Just like He predestined me to be born, He certainly knows the end and He is in control of it. He also provides what I have, all of it, and what I do not have, all of it. I always have food and clothing and in just that I should be content. So how many outfits Lord is enough to be content? How much food? Shoes? Pair Eyewair toppers? Oh, the endless ways we barter, no just food and clothing my friends. The rest is another gift from the Lord.
I read a book years back called, “Same Kind of Different as Me” by Denver Moore and Ron Hall. I met them personally and have a signed copy of the book. It was made into a movie. Anyway, Denver Moore was sharing that he was a slave on a cotton farm and one day just jumped on a train. He got off the train in Downtown Fort Worth and lived there, on the streets of Fort Worth for upwards of 30 years. He said he was “content” to be homeless and free, because he had always been enslaved.
Perspective my friend. Contentment.
Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Ouch. I guess I can’t ask the Lord how many outfits. If you have seen my Facebook lately, I have a new addiction for toppers for my new glasses. It is ridiculous actually. I am certain God does not believe I need more. God has really been pushing me on this. It is not about the glasses, and having toppers that match everything. It is really about making sure I am balancing the ridiculous by the important things in my life, taking care of business and not distracting from the truth. Am I coveting these things. Sometimes I would say yes. Thus, the reason I am working on balancing life, now balancing contentment.
2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, I am strong.
This one is hard, how can we be content with the struggle. First of all, I am extremely grateful that I am not perfect, and I do not have to be perfect. Striving for perfection will bring complete discontentment. If we embrace our imperfections isn’t that our weaknesses? Yes. If we are content with being imperfect and trusting that we are made perfect in Christ the insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities bounce off of us or lead us higher. This world is not our home, we will be persecuted, we will suffer and being content even in that is where we aim.
I recently read a book called Women Who Risk about Muslim women who hide in plain sight, sharing and serving Jesus, bringing others to the Lord, including their abusive husbands. Their contentment in knowing their ultimate reality is sure death is empowering. We need that faith, that trust, that strength in finding contentment in our certainly less than dangerous, plentiful life.
The cross of Christ is the barometer that sits in the center of the balance scale. On each side of that scale is every person, place or thing. Too much or too little of anything will tip the scale on either side. Sitting in Christ’s hands keeps us balanced. If we feel discontented quite frankly, we need More Jesus less anything else.
Join me in seeking a contentment beyond our scope of understanding. Imagine not stressing out about money, not fearful of bad things that can happen, not worried about tomorrow, things we feel we need or want. Imagine being ok with martyrdom for Christ.
Lord, please hold us securely in your hands, as you have promised, and help us grow in faith and trust in you, so that we can stay balanced when daily life hits us and knocks us down. Thank you for going before us, protecting us, keeping us even when we doubt.
Stay Beautiful
Susanne
Susanne Moore 