Friday, January 9, 2015

"Real Contentment"

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."  Philippians 4:11

A couple of days ago I heard this verse from two different resources.  Then yesterday, it came up again in three different conversations.  I knew I had to share it with you this morning.  The Lord is speaking a word to His people.  That word in a nutshell-- be content. 

Let's face it, by nature we are not content.  We always want more.  We are never completely satisfied with what we have.  We are never really happy, and if we are it is short lived.  We try to find happiness and contentment in things.  For example, you already have ten pairs of shoes but it's that eleventh pair that you think will make you content.  We think we just have to have it and we will be happy and not want anything else-- that is until the next new thing, or style, comes along.  We try to find this contentment in people.  We think if we can just get married our lives will be complete and satisfied.  If that were actually true, there would be a whole lot less divorces.  But after a while, discontentment comes into the marriage.  He/she no longer satisfies me, they no longer make me happy, they no longer fulfill my wants and needs, so we "trade" the marriage in for a "newer model" like we trade a car. 

Contentment doesn't come easy, the apostle said he had "learned" to be content.  While it doesn't come easy, it is possible to have it.  You just have to find it in the right place-- in the case of true contentment it is found in only one person-- the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is our contentment.  He makes us content.  How?  Because He satisfies to the fullest our longings, desires and wants.  He makes us "happy".  He doesn't disappoint us.  He gives us peace. 

The Bible says godliness with contentment is great gain.  Not with people, not with possessions, not with having all your wants, wishes and desires fulfilled.  If you are looking to find contentment in material possessions it will never happen.  The "new" eventually wears off.  If you are looking to find contentment in a "person" it will never happen.  That person will disappoint you, they won't always agree with you, they won't always make you happy and they won't always live up to your expectations. 

We have to learn to be content or we will live a most miserable life.  We will always be aimlessly seeking for something that doesn't exist in this realm, therefore, we will always come up feeling empty.  We learn contentment only one way, we receive it only one way, by giving ourselves to Jesus Christ.  When we are content with Him and in Him, we become content with what we have.  It is like the song says-- only Jesus can satisfy your soul.  And He does!

Have a great day.  You will not find contentment in people or the things you possess.  Contentment is found in Jesus Christ alone.  Once you have Him, you will be content with what you have.

For further reading:
Philippians 4:10-13
1 Timothy 6:6 

 
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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
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