An Attitude of Contentment

There was a point in my life that I felt in order for me to walk with God, I couldn't have a need or want. My mind told me that I had to become unemotional in order to be content with Him. If you've ever felt that way, please know it’s a lie from the devil. God is not some dictator who created us to be like robots. We were made in His image and likeness, meaning that we can feel emotions just like our father in heaven. But we must not let our emotions control us.

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. (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV)

Can I be honest? The struggle to be content is real. Deep down I want this to be my reality, although I’m not there yet; I’m on my way. Paul says something that seems so small yet profound in the verse above “for I have learned to be content”. This means contentment is a process, not a quick fix. You can’t say you learned something you already knew; therefore Paul must have been in a place of discontentment prior.

Let’s address what contentment actually is to clear some misconceptions. Contentment is not the absence of need/want. To be content in God means to be so satisfied in Him that those things we want/need become like an atom compared to Him. This can translate in the physical sense as when you really want something and don’t get it, instead of becoming bitter you remain content in God. Whatever you place the most emphasis on will become magnified in your life, so being greatly filled with God makes every other thing so small.

The problem with being discontent is that you are always hungry, unsatisfied, and craving one thing or the other. From personal experience, it’s quite a tedious and nerve bending lifestyle. We place so much emphasis on always getting stuff, that when we don’t feel like we are getting something we start to feel agitated.

I’ll paint a picture, so you can understand what I’m talking about. Let’s say someone prays to God to give them a nice car and He does. Immediately they receive it all their excitement dies, and they misplace the entire thrill that their expectancy once brought. Now they see someone with a better looking car and start asking for one or some money to revamp their current one. Basically this person hasn't even finished thanking God for the first thing He did or enjoyed the gift, but is already asking for something else.

Such a person has a tendency to spend majority of their time in prayer asking for gifts rather than to be filled with God. Truth is, no matter how much stuff you receive you will never be satisfied because only God can fill you infinitely. It is in Him we are made whole, and that’s why we are to seek the kingdom first and then everything else will be added. The real price is God, the rest is just extra but for some reason the “extra” stuff appears better to us.

When we look further to verse thirteen, Paul goes on to say that he can do all things (including being content) by the strength of God. What this means is that it truly isn't by power or by might but by the spirit of God. We cannot truly desire God without His help, but we can draw encouragement from Philippians 2:13, NLT:

 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him

Don’t let the enemy penetrate your mind and insert condemnation in a place where conviction should reside. I would beat myself up when I realized I wanted blessings more than I wanted God, and this made me discouraged. It’s a journey to get to contentment, so it won’t happen overnight.

The secret to being content is knowing that in all things, Jesus is enough. Everything else can change but God is forever the same. You can be hungry today, fed tomorrow, sheltered one minute, and homeless the next. God on the other hand is consistent and placing your hope in Him makes you stable.

Are you wondering how to begin this journey to contentment?

Since we have been given the power to speak a thing into existence by faith, start off by making a positive proclamation in prayer. Ask God for strength to make choices daily that lead you to the physical manifestation of your prayer. Contentment has a lot to do with our attitude, and how we think. If our mindset could change to the fact that in God we have all we need and everything else is an addition; I believe we would have more peace of mind.

No matter what situation you’re in, remember that God is greater and it is in Him you are made complete. Be encouraged.