If contentment depends on the outer circumstances of our lives, we will live in a boat that is tossed to and fro by the waves of life.
Contentment depends on the object of our faith. If things are going our way, we can experience the feeling of contentment but it will
come and go. We need to make Christ the Rock upon which we build our lives. God said that if we did that we would be able to withstand the storms of life.
But, if we place our faith outside of Christ, not only will we not be content, we will find our lives crashing down eventually. Building our lives on any foundation other than Christ is building a house on sand. God created us and He is the only One who can fill the void in our souls to make us content.
Contentment does not come automatically into our lives. We must LEARN contentment. By obeying the Word of God and building our relationship with Christ, we grow up into the fullness of Christ. Christian maturity is like a tree that begins as a seed, grows into a plant and bears fruit reflecting God’s glory.
We were made by Christ, for Christ and through Christ (Colossians 1:16). Only our Creator can satisfy His creation. If we attempt to find contentment in the world, it will not work out.
Any other object of faith is a false god if placed above Jesus. Faith apart from Christ produces discontent. The choice is ours.
Will we struggle as Christians? Most assuredly yes but God does not promise a life that is free of adversity. We will have tribulation, we will suffer, circumstances will be difficult.
But, our lives should reflect the power of God through faith in Christ manifested by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Those fruits include love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
God has given us free will to choose to love Him. We are like branches of the Tree. Grafted into God, we can produce the beautiful fruit of God’s character. Apart from God, we are a disconnected branch.
God wants us to seek first the kingdom of God and all the needs of life will be added to us. God wants us to love Him with all our heart, mind and soul and to love others as we love ourselves.
Love is a commandment that we are to obey whether we feel like it or not. We are not to walk by our feelings and let them control our thoughts. Rather, let Christ control our thoughts and the feelings will follow.
Think about what you have and be content. Think about what you don’t have and be discontent.
God’s will is that we give thanks in every circumstance. Don’t let the circumstances control you, let God control you within the circumstances.
Don’t be afraid, God is in control. We are the Body, He is the Head. Contentment is often very hard for us, we live in a very difficult world.
Jesus said that we would have tribulation but to take heart for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). He told us that He would give us a peace that was not like the world’s peace.
His peace comes from the inside out not from the outside in.
If you are not a Christian, come to Christ today as you have been given the invitation to eternal life. You can be an overcomer no matter what your circumstances may be.
No matter how many or how deep your sins may be, God will forgive you and save you if you trust Him.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Paul learned contentment while imprisoned. He said that he learned the secret of contentment and that secret was Christ. For more on this topic, watch the life changing video below titled “The Secret of Contentment” by Alistair Begg.
Philippians 4:10-13
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 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 all this through him who gives me strength.
Ephesians 4: 14-16
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
