“How discontented you look today,” said one bucket to the other as they both walked to the well. “Ah,” replied the other, “I was just thinking about how useless it is for us to be filled, because no matter how full we go away from the well, we always come back empty.” “How odd,” said the first again, “that you should look at it from that point of view. I am simply happy about the thought that no matter how empty we come here to the well, we can always return full again. Look at it from this point of view, then you will be just as satisfied and joyful as I am.”
Sin causes us to focus on what we don’t have rather than on the many wonderful things we have been given. Sin makes us selfish so that we constantly measure our possessions against those of others. We always want more. Always something new. Once we have it, we already want something else because our heart is not satisfied by all these things. Life doesn’t please us. Other people don’t please us. There are so many things that should be different and should be run differently. It is a life of dissatisfaction. A sad life. A life without joy and without peace.
Source of contentment
True contentment does not have its source in the gifts that one wishes for and then receives. Rather, its source lies in the Giver. You can only be content when you have found your support and joy in God, the giver of all good gifts. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26, ESV). One who has learned to be content says this.
If you are satisfied with the One who gives, because you find fulfillment in Him, then you are free from the greedy desire for satisfaction that drives so many. Yes, it is true that your heart only comes to rest when it has found Christ.
Satisfied in every situation and at all times
I read about a pastor who was attacked and robbed one day. He wrote in his diary:
“I am thankful for four things: that I have never been robbed before; That they only stole my bag, and I escaped with my life; That everything I owned was taken from me, but fortunately it wasn’t much; That I was the one who was robbed – and not the one who committed the robbery.”
Would I have been as grateful if I had been mugged and robbed? Satisfaction and gratitude belong together. They are inseparable. Gratitude is not our typical reaction when something goes wrong. We have a lot to be thankful for – but one unpleasant thing overshadows everything! Have you experienced that? The Word says: “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, TLB).
Contentment – a characteristic of faith
If you observe the God-fearing men and women in the Bible, you get the impression that they were constantly challenged or threatened. Nevertheless, they were the happiest people because God was their Father. We know that His way and His plan are good; that He will carry us through. Contentment is a characteristic of faith in a caring God.
Be thankful in all circumstances. We will never achieve this through our own efforts. However, if we are connected to Christ, it will be possible. That’s because He is able to make us aware of all the things for which we can give thanks and because He can give us the strength to do so.
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).
The fact is that it can be easier for us to be grateful when everything goes according to our wishes. But how is it when we encounter things in life that we didn’t expect? Things that don’t fit into our plan at all?
This reminds me of a man who was in a Roman prison. Separated from his friends, unjustly accused, brutally tortured, almost forgotten by others, would he not have every reason to be ungrateful? Yet instead of complaining bitterly, we hear words of thanks and praise from him! It is the Apostle Paul – a man who had come to know the true meaning of contentment. From prison, he writes to the church in Ephesus: “Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20, ESV).
We can be sure that Paul was not only giving good advice to other people but that he was living it within his prison cell. The prison guards and fellow prisoners will have declared him mad. Paul, however, did not care. The contentment of his heart was not dependent on external circumstances but was anchored in God, whom he knew to be good. Thus, he became a person who could be content and grateful in every situation.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13, ESV).
Contentment through prayer
Prayer is one of the surest ways to achieve joy and contentment. So many things want to weigh us down. But the best way to bear it all is to bring everything to God in prayer. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22, ESV).
This has been the widespread practice of God’s children throughout the ages. However, as soon as we disregard this truth and try to carry our worries alone, we inevitably become dissatisfied and unhappy. All we need to do is come to Christ, who is always waiting to help His children. He knows about all the temptations and hardships we face in this world, because He experienced them Himself when He was on earth. Only He can make us genuinely happy and content, whatever may take place around us. Prayer can make the heaviest cross lighter. Prayer can illuminate the deepest darkness. Prayer can give courage in great loneliness and sadness.
Contentment through remembrance
Don’t forget the good things He has done for you. Ask God to direct your focus to all the things He has given you. You may not have many possessions, you may be lonely or sad, you may be troubled by suffering and struggles – do not forget your Savior, who took so much upon Himself to show you His love by dying on the cross for you. He died to save you. How could I not love Him? Can I remain ungrateful at the sight of Him? Reflecting on what He did for me, can I remain dissatisfied?
Contentment through acceptance and forgiveness
Many reasons for dissatisfaction lie within oneself. Can you accept the way God is leading you? Can you say: “Yes, Father!”? If your life turns out differently than you thought it would, can you accept it? Can you accept others as they are, be it your spouse, your colleague, or the person sitting next to you in church? Can you bear it if your fellow believer has a different understanding of Scripture on a certain point? Can you forgive those who have hurt you? If you are not prepared to accept and forgive, you will search in vain for contentment of heart. You may say, “I can’t do that. It’s too hard.” You’re right. It may seem impossible. But I can do all things through the One who strengthens me, Christ. It may take a little time sometimes. It may cost you something. But Christ will give you victory and heal your heart, and you will experience true contentment.
Contentment through faith in the promises
Have you read the quoted Bible passages carefully? Then you will have realized that most of them are promises at the same time. These promises refer to “today” and “tomorrow.” Will you believe the Word when it says that God will remain your rock and your salvation forever? If it says that you can be thankful because He makes it possible? When it says that His grace endures forever? When it says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us? When it says that He will take care of us if we give our concerns to Him? When I believe my Father’s promise, I become calm, I feel secure, and I am filled with contentment and deep gratitude.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are able to bring about this contentment and gratitude in us! Our eyes may be filled with tears, but our soul rests in Your peace!
Markus Schmelzle
Pforzheim, Germany
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