When you think of contentment, what comes to your mind? I picture a tropical beach in Hawaii where I am lying by the water at a beautiful resort enjoying the sun. I instantly feel more peaceful, happy, and relaxed, with less pressure, stress, and worry.

If your picture is like mine, we are in trouble, because if I can only have contentment when I am on a tropical beach, I might have it for a week out of the year, as that is the maximum amount of time I will probably spend on a tropical beach.

If our idea of contentment is in any way dependent on outside circumstances—people, places, or things being a certain way—we will not have contentment most or all of the time, and we will also try to change circumstances in order to get contentment.  And it won’t work.

Contentment isn’t natural for us—discontentment is. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had everything: a good-looking partner, a tropical paradise, great food without having to cook, childbirth without pain, ample provision of all they needed, no bills, and a great relationship with God. Without sin, you would think they would have been content, but they weren’t. They still wanted what they couldn’t have, sinned to get it, and permanently changed the course of the human race as a result. We too want what we don’t have, don’t appreciate what we do have, make choices that negatively affect our lives and the lives of others.

So if contentment isn’t natural for us, what do we do to get it?  We consciously work on accepting the things we cannot change and being comfortable with what we have. That doesn’t mean we can’t set boundaries regarding things that are unacceptable, nor does it mean we can’t set goals and take steps to get what we want out of life or improve our lives. It just means that while we are doing it, we find a way to be satisfied—for today—with what we have by tapping into God’s strength.

By Karla Downing

Relationship Devotional Prayer

 
God,

Help me to be contented in my circumstances—whatever they may be—through your strength.

Relationship Devotional Challenge

•  Picture yourself perfectly contented. What comes to your mind? Is this a reasonable means of obtaining contentment?
• Ask God to help you to be contented in your circumstances just as they are—for today.

Scripture Meditation

 
Philippians 4:11-13

“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.” (NIV)