The Power of Contentment

“The Power of Contentment”

April 2021

It was overheard in an office recently, “We’re happy with what we have.”
The occasion was actually an administrator responding to a pushy salesperson, but the words lingered in the air. How refreshing to hear someone say they were happy with what they have!

Proverbs 19:23 tells us, “The fear of the Lord leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
The Passion Translation puts it like this: “When you live a life of abandoned love, surrendered before the awe of God, here’s what you’ll experience: Abundant life. Continual protection.
And complete satisfaction!”

There is power in living for the Lord. There is power in the contentment that comes with it. There is power in being satisfied with what we have.
There was a book out many years ago entitled, “First, We Have Coffee.” In it, is said, “Everything we have is everything we need.” (That’s a thought on which to meditate!)

Think about this for a moment. If, instead of thinking we need this, or we want that, we choose to simply be content with what we already have, (which is more than what most of residents of most of the countries of this planet currently enjoy), how this brings us peace. We’re no longer striving, or envying, or working too much. We relax. We take more time to enjoy the people and relationships around us. We have peace.

Paul learned to have this mindset. In Philippians 4:12 he writes, “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.”
Then, Paul gives us the secret to being able to live with this attitude: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)

Often the desire for more or better possessions is really a longing to fill an empty place in our lives. It’s been said there’s a God-shaped hole in all our hearts. When we try to fill it up with everything else but Him, we’re never satisfied.
When we fill it up with a true and growing relationship with Him, we find contentedness.

Paul wrote to Timothy: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
Finally, the writer of Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have…”
Let’s all say, “We’re happy with what we have!”