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    • Mar
      15

      Contentment ~ By Carol S. Terrell

      Contentment – The state of being satisfied with things as they are.

      Contentment.  It’s a state that many long for, but can’t seem to attain.  To these individuals, it seems to be an arduous road trip whose final destination takes forever to reach.  Like whining children in the back seat of a car, they cry out, “Are we there yet?”

      Contentment shouldn’t be regarded as some lofty goal that one must struggle to attain.  Yet, it should be looked upon as a necessary goal for all mankind.  We see the effects of discontent every day.  We hear about it in the news and listen to the ramblings of those around us.  Folks wanting more—doing more (good and bad) to get what they want—and are never satisfied.  Seeking out whatever it takes to reach that state of mind where they can finally be at peace in their weary souls.  It’s evident that modern society often goes against man reaching this blissful state, even though it touts alternative methods to achieve it (yoga, massage, drugs, religion, etc.).  They rush to whatever is “new” and promises to fill what their minds crave, only to come to the realization that what’s new eventually becomes old. So, they continue on a cyclical journey of spinning their wheels never really getting anywhere.

      Contentment—like the verbs is, are, were, be, being, been—is a state of being.  When teaching elementary students, I often explained to them that these are simple words that hold a sentence together.  That is what contentment does. It holds one together.  When you’re in that state, you don’t have to have the latest of everything.  You don’t worry about how bills are going to be paid, and if the thoughts cross your mind, God is quick to bring to your remembrance that He is the supplier of all your needs according to His riches in glory.  Isn’t that the purest goal to achieve?  Total reliance upon Him?

      Oftentimes, society tends to look upon people who express that they are satisfied with where they are in life as lazy—slothful outcasts who have no drive—no ambition.  We’ve been conditioned to go for the gold, so to speak, regardless of the cost.  There’s nothing wrong with pursuing a better life for oneself or one’s family, but not at the sacrifice of what God would have you to do.  When we set out to achieve our own selfish desires, there is a constant state of frustration and emptiness.  We lash out at those we love.  We become discontent with our lives.  We distance ourselves from God, and sometimes even blame Him if things don’t go as we think they should.

      There is a flipside to this scenario also.  Sometimes when God places vision within us, it’s not for the present time.  When we don’t comprehend this aspect of God’s character and start trying to make things happen on our timetable, it can once again become very frustrating and disappointing.  If I’ve learned nothing else on this life’s journey, it’s the principle that God works on His timetable, not ours.  He knows what we can handle and when we can handle it.  He places vision within us to sustain us.  (Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1) It is a promise that He wants us to hold onto.  In the meantime, He has to mature us to receive the fulfillment of the promise, and that’s where contentment comes in.  Contentment is not about being lazy.  It’s about accepting where God has you at a particular point in time and being satisfied that God is meeting all your needs.  At the same time, you’re steadily making progress towards the vision God has for your life.  To be content is to be at peace.  It is to trust God that He knows what’s best for you.  It is a willingness to let Him order every step you make.  The Apostle Paul said it best:  “ …for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:11b-13)

      So, the question is, “Are you there yet?”  Are you at the place in your life where you can say you’re satisfied and trust God to do the driving?  If not, I encourage you to park the car, take your hands off the steering wheel, and leave the driving to Him.  Trust me; it’s a far easier ride.  That’s not to say it won’t be bumpy from time to time, or that there won’t be a few traffic jams along the way.  But, if you’re a frequent driver like me, when the rare opportunity to be a passenger comes along, I’m eager to sit back and enjoy the ride.  That’s what God wants us to do.  Contentment allows Him to put the car in cruise control.  He sets your life at the speed that is just right for you and coasts you along life’s highway, resetting the control when necessary; parking when you get off course; reversing when you need to repeat a lesson; and putting your life in neutral when you need to contemplate the journey.

      I can’t help but stress that contentment is a necessary goal that can only be achieved with God.  It can’t be attained by any work you do or other means of self-seeking false fulfillment.  It can only be found in Him.

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