Contentment

“Not that I was ever in need for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation…” 

Philippians 4: 11-12a

I've only been on my journey towards contentment for a couple of days now, and its already one of the hardest things I've ever tried to work towards. A few dictionaries describe contentment as

• Satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
• Mentally or emotionally satisfied with the way things are.
• Willing to accept circumstances. 

I’m currently reading a book by Barbara Hughes called “Disciplines of a Godly Woman”

She has entire chapter dedicated to the Discipline of Contentment. In the chapter, she shares this quote about what Christian Contentment is:

“ Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” –Jeremiah Burroughs

In Philippians 4, Paul states that he learned what it meant to be content in every situation. This gives hope that its possible to get there. It also brings the realization that its something we have to work to get to and that it doesn't come to us naturally. Paul was an old man by the time that he wrote his letter stating that he knew what it meant to be content. Its definitely a process that requires discipline and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In our world, Its so easy to be tempted by discontent. All we have to do is turn on the TV, open up Facebook, browse Pinterest, or drive down the road. There are so many messages, ads, and signs that tell us we aren't happy unless we obtain something we don't have.

Its incredible how easy it is to be consumed by discontent and not even realize it. For instance, I was just browsing Pinterest the other day looking at creative ideas for decorating my room. When I discovered, that something was happening within my heart. In my heart, it wasn't this innocent hobby of trying to find creative ideas...but, it was looking at all those images and wishing/desiring all these things I didn't have.

Barbara Hughes, uses Eve as an example of just how much we as humans are inclined to discontent. She says that Eve had everything she could ever want. She had a beautiful place to live, a great husband, and she had direct communication with God. But, where she went wrong was that she fell into the sin that all of us struggle with. She listened to that voice that told her that God was holding out on her.

I know that my heart will always be inclined to discontent. I have to train it to think otherwise.

2 Peter 2:20-22 says,

"And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life."

Hughes also writes that, we often know God's word and the truth that the gospel brings but we still choose to let ourselves be entangled by all the empty trash that the world tries to offer us. Those words resonated so deep within me because I know I do this!


I know that true contentment will come from knowing God and his word. When I truly grasp all that God is and all that he has done, and that is what I fill my heart with....Then and only then will I truly be content.

"Apart from the only One who can satisfy us, we human beings insatiable--we always want more."

-Barbara Hughes