Of all the possible attitudes of the mind and heart, contentment provides a quality of life that makes it very desirable. Just imagine moments you have experienced in which there was nothing you desired….no yearnings, no unfulfilled dreams, no emptiness, no temptation to have something else materially, no expectations of others including God and no frustration with yourself. Perhaps you have never had any moments like that. Let me help you.
Contentment is an illusive experience rarely found in a materialistic culture such as ours. There is always a desire for more, better, or different. This is not healthy for body, mind or spirit. A contented person can be neither troubled nor stressed. A contented person is in a great position to take a neutral posture toward the will of God because he does not have a personal agenda. He can honestly tell Jesus he is available for whatever the Lord wants.
Obviously, it is possible that laziness could be viewed as contentment, but not so. Contentment does not mean one is unwilling to be productive. It means their identity and sense of well being is not wrapped up in the minutia of their daily life experiences. I call it the “unsatisfied.” One with contentment is neither dissatisfied nor satisfied. They are content with the way things are in the moment and at peace about the future.
Since I am a driven type of person contentment has been difficult for me. All I can tell you is what I have experienced in acquiring this wonderful quality. So here are some tips that I have found to be helpful in the pursuit of contentment.
1. Believe that God is looking out for your best interests even when you are in a difficult situation. Know that the One watching your back can do anything. “The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” Pv 19:23
2. Practice gratitude for the simple things of life. Make a list of what you possess that you value. Most of these are not likely to be material. For instance, I love to talk to Jesus, my family and friends. I know it’s a simple thing, but how discontented would I be without these relational assets. “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” I Tim 6:8
3. Invest your life in Jesus Kingdom values: family, friends, vocation, community, neighborhood, promoting the common good, relieving human misery, seeking justice for the vulnerable, loving service to others and meeting with other followers of Jesus. “If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” Job 36:11
4. Make people your priority more than projects, programs and profits. Meaningful relationships are a path to contentment. Helping others through your vocation is most rewarding.
5. Stop and smell the roses. Yes, take time to enjoy what you already have. Kick back with no other agenda. (I assume you are not a sloth when I say this.) Lazy people cannot have contentment.
6. Welcome adversity as your friend. God uses adversity to discipline us for our good. Look back on past trouble and see what good has come your way as a result. My first real estate investment incurred a large loss from which I acquired both experience on which to improve and one of the best friends a person could find. I told him many times that his friendship was well worth the cost. “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.” Phil 4:12
7. View your life as a management role. When you lay your life at Jesus feet in faith and repentance you have acknowledged him as the owner of all that you have and all that you are. Managers do have the stress of ownership. You can be confident in the Owner and content in your management role. Paul said, “Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” By the way, I shouldn’t need to remind you that we will all die.
8. Answer the question, “How much is enough?” For most people the answer is “just a little bit more.” You should answer this question with, “I am satisfied with what I already have.” When you can do that you will be content. You will be content with your spouse, your larger family, your material possessions, your other relationships, your employment and, most of all, with Jesus. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb 13:5
9. PAY ATTENTION to these eternal truths given to us by the Holy Spirit of God by those he inspired to write the Bible.
Job 36:11
If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.
Proverbs 13:25
The righteous eat to their hearts' content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless— a miserable business!
Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Philippians 4:12
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.
1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:8
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."