The last month I’ve been in school… possibly of graduate level... regarding contentment. And it was my sweet wife who helped me most with starting to get my attitude closer to what it should be. As it is written…
Jesus said, “Be content with your wages…” (Lk 3:14).
Paul said, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content (Phil 4:11)… “If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Tim 6:8)… “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Heb 13:5)… “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10).
The School of Contentment. Contentment with what you have… Contentment with what you DON’T have… Contentment with what is happening, not happening, might happen, could happen. Being content in all things… BUT HOW? Heb 13:5B… “For He has said, ‘I will never leave nor forsake you!'”
Lack of contentment is the result of NOT being content with Jesus. Let that settle in your heart. Push it deep into your soul.
When we are not content we are saying Jesus is not enough… God is not enough. We are saying…
God can’t do whatever it is we need.
It is not enough to have our sins forgiven.
It is not enough for the Spirit to dwell in us.
It is not enough for Jesus and the Spirit to pray for us constantly.
It is not enough for God to cause all things to work together for our good.
It is not enough for nothing to be able to separate us from the love of God.
Because God does not leave our sanctification to chance (Read Romans 8:29!), HE puts us in situations and circumstances to MAKE us content with JUST HIM!
Consider… God might be doing the same thing in your life. Possibly taking and destroying all the idols you think you need to be content. He might MAKE YOU learn to be content with just Him through extreme measures!
If your job is washing windows, be content.
If you don’t have a job, be content.
If you live in a one room house, be content.
After all… your situation could be a LOT WORSE!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding…” (Pr 3:5). Hmmm…
Glad you are back!