Learning to Be Content in All Things

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

Contentment. 2022 introduced me to a whole new level of what it means to be content.

Merriam-Webster defines contentment as freedom from worry or restlessness : peaceful satisfaction. Wow. I think we all want that kind of peace. And in a world that’s constantly telling us we need more to be happy, more to have made it – when things like inflation happen, finances are hit, influencers and advertisers are showcasing the next best thing, life gets hard, health concerns arise, or being wise means saying no to things we want, when things are outside our control… How do we get to a place of contentment?

You might think it’s when we have fewer problems or more money, more business, better health, or the family we always dreamed of, but that’s not always our experience. And yet, we can still find contentment in every circumstance.

Perfectionist and editor that I am, I always see an opportunity to improve or make things better. Home design. Gardening goals. Organization. Personal wardrobe. Family life. Culture. I want to make things better. It’s something I enjoy. Something I’m good at visualizing and making happen. But this year, I had to say no to things I was wanting. This year, things outside my control impacted my ability to do. And I felt God leading me to learn and practice contentment.

Getting rid of the need to buy new decor for our home, purchase the latest styles, and control my circumstances began to change my heart and perspective. I began to clear my mind of the distractions and get my focus and heart back on what matters. I began to appreciate the good right in front of me. And I began to see that I didn’t need any of those things as much as I thought. Even in the big picture things we’ve prayed and are believing God for – in the waiting, we can still know contentment.

The apostle Paul knew this personally:

For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

Through Christ. It’s in Him our hearts are satisfied. It’s in Him we find peace and joy and strength for the journey, in good times and hard times.

When we fix our eyes on Jesus and give Him our worship, that is when our hearts are satisfied. He is the real prize! That truth becomes more real to us. He is everything. And my heart has found so much contentment in knowing I have Him and am loved by Him. Then we begin to see things differently, count our blessings, and move forward with eyes of faith.

True contentment stems from an inner confidence in our God and a heart of gratitude. We can change the posture of our hearts by filling our minds with truth and speaking it aloud. When we have an opportunity to complain or worry or strive for more, newer and better, or different, we can instead choose to thank God for the good in our lives and rest in Him. To make room in our hearts for the things that really matter.

When you find yourself feeling unsatisfied, remember all that you have in Christ and choose to cultivate contentment. Clear out the unnecessary, take a break from the distractions, and focus on the One who has already given us all that we need. As you learn to be content, you’ll find greater joy right where you are. Remember God is with you, and He is for you. And you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.