Finding Contentment

So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 1 Timothy 6:8

Contentment can be very elusive. We live in a world of materialism, commercialism, narcissism, self-indulgence, self-gratification, and greed. The world prompts us to scream, "Give Me More! More! More!" Temptation is everywhere. Covetousness is the norm. We are bombarded by promises of 'The Good Life' through the media. Advertisements are designed to psychologically prompt us to by their products. Movies and TV shows capitalizing on greed, gossip, perversion, raunchiness, and desire for wealth. This constant bombardment bringing about dissatisfaction with our own lives. The old mantra, "Keeping Up With the Jones', " is now "Keep Ahead of the Jones'." We want more out of life and we want it now.

We are not content with little. We are not content with a lot. We think certain things in our lives will bring about contentment only to find out once we achieve them, they do not. Contentment does not lie in the things we have. Contentment does not lie in the things that we do. Contentment does not lie in the people we know. For many, the search for contentment has lead them into financial troubles, relational problems, health problems, career setbacks, crime, or addiction issues. Contentment does not lie in wealth, fame, success, reputation, or anything the world says it does. There is only way to find true contentment, and that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 23:1 says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." We can have all that we need and be satisfied only through making Christ our Lord and Savior.

Paul learned how to find contentment in Christ. He writes, "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 everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

As a 'material girl' of the '80s, I personally struggled with finding true contentment in my life. I mistakenly thought contentment was in wealth, material possessions, reputation, and success. So, for a while, those were the things I persued. However, I never found true contentment in any of those things. I only found trouble, trials, and setbacks. It was only as I came to faith in Christ and started to mature as a believer that I found the source of true contentment. Paul knew of these struggles too well, in 1 Timothy 6:5-7, he says, "and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it."

True contentment is elusive, but it is achievable. "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." Hebrews 13:5 He is all that we need. He will satisfy like no other. In Him we will find true contentment.

In His Love, Cathy