How To Be Content
Contentment - Freedom from worry or restlessness: - A peaceful perspective.
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NLT - Chillin like a villain. Roman prison - Carcer (Latin)
Contentment is not a decision to be self-sufficient, but rather a condition found when the soul rests in the sufficiency of God. (No matter the conditions or circumstance)
Five Intentional Choices that lead to a Life of Contentment
Choice # 1 - Avoid Envy and Comparison - If I just had… I would be happy. No you wouldn’t!
Covetousness - A desire for what others have. - You must not covet your neighbors… Exodus 20:17
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Ephesians 5:5 ESV
High place (covet) / Alter (sacrifice , contentment) / to the Idol of stuff, status, etc… little g god!?
Destiny is sacrificed and contentment dies on the altar of envy and disobedient ambition.
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Proverbs 14:30 ESV
Comparison creates an unreasonable discontentedness that has a way of coaxing us out of the will of God.
Choice # 2 - Embrace your assignment. (Love it and / to live it)
Submission to the purpose and plan of God is critical to a life of contentment.
Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
I’m not saying you’ll never get tired running your race, but you’ll die trying to run someone else’s.
In it for the coffee not the cup…
Choice # 3 - Praise - (Be grateful to God for the life you have)
Gratitude disarms discontentment. - - My mom!
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thes 5:18 NLT
Praise is a pathway to contentment. - - Praise on the inside will manifest on the outside.
Choice # 4 - Do your best with what ever you have.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT
Choosing Contentment Choice # 5 - Trust - - It’s an inside job!
Contentment is only found in a trusting surrendered relationship with Jesus
A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. Proverbs 28:25 ESV
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT - POEM
Contentment is not only God’s will, it’s God’s gift to all who will receive it!
True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 1 Timothy 6:6 NLT - Granny Mary’s house