Be Content

by Lynette Hagin

If anything is universal in our day, I believe it is discontentment. The old adage, “The grass is greener on the other side” is well-believed by most people. Discontentment is very much a part of non-Christians’ lives, for they have not found the One Who can give them peace. But I have seen discontentment becoming an increasing problem, even among Christians.

It seems that we are never pleased. If we are single, we want to be married. If we are married, we want to be single. If we don’t have children, we want them. If we have children, we think life would be bliss without them. Jane wishes her husband was like Sally’s, and Sally wishes her husband was like Jane’s.

In Philippians 4:10 and 11, the Apostle Paul wrote, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Paul was expressing his sentiments to the church at Philippi for the gifts he had received from them. But even though Paul was thankful for the gifts, he went on to say, “I am not dependent on this. I know how to live with little or with a bountiful supply. Whichever way it is in life, it’s not going to move me from my relationship with God. I am going to be content whatever my situation.”

Some would see Paul’s statement as negative. But it was far from that. To be content in Paul’s sense is one of life’s greatest victories. Contentment means freedom—freedom from care, freedom from discomfort. Contentment is being gratified to the point where one is not disturbed or disquieted—even though every wish is not fully realized.

Paul was actually saying, “I choose to be master of my situation, to conquer any circumstances that come my way. I choose to live in peace regardless of my situation.” Too many people have this backward. They allow their situation to master them. They allow their circumstances to conquer them.

You determine your destiny by the decisions you make and the attitude you take. You can choose to look at the positive side of circumstances or the negative side. It’s important to remember the old saying, “When life gives you lemons—make lemonade!” When you focus your eyes on the positive instead of on the negative, you get a better perspective of your situation.

Of course, in order to live a life of contentment, you must be fully committed to God. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Learn to always place God first in your life. Allow Him to guide your every step. Your life may not always go down the path that you desire. However, if you will determine to seek the things of God and be contented regardless of the situations you may encounter, you will find that peace and contentment will become a natural part of your life. You can rest assured that God will turn all things around for your good if you’ll but trust in Him.