Finding Contentment

Hey Friends,

This morning I realized recently that God has three times, in three places shown me the same story over two days so … I decided to pay attention.

Can I just say quickly, when something comes up three times, especially so close together, you need to pay attention. That’s one way to recognize the voice of God; he will repeat things to make sure you’re listening. You need to be looking for God’s voice and movement in your life; otherwise, you’ll miss it.

So, what did God tell me three times this weekend? That I need to be practicing contentment. And it is something that can be practiced and learned. That’s what Paul said in Philippians 4:11 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Emphasis mine)

He learned how to be content in every circumstance.

Verse 12 says “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.”

What a beautiful idea. I have been in need and had plenty, I have been well fed and hungry. I bet most of you have as well. That’s why these few verses strike a chord in us.

Paul at the moment of writing these very words was chained to a guard, on watch 24/7 in a jail. He wasn’t left alone in his imprisonment; he was in constant company with his captor. And he was speaking on contentment!

I have a hard time finding contentment when my children don’t listen, or we have clients struggling to make what feels like a simple decision to me. I struggle to find contentment living in the paradise of Florida, when my heart longs for the mountains. I am discontented when I look around my home and see all the places that need re-organizing and places I still “need” to finish decorating and upgrading.

Y’all, I’ve never been, and hope to never be, in jail. I can only imagine feeling desolate, helpless and lost. But not Paul, at least not at this stage in his life.

Let’s look back at verses 4-7 for a glimpse of his seemingly backwards state of mind. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In the middle of jail (not his first trip) after probably having been beaten and thrashed, he is encouraging the church of Philippi to “rejoice in the Lord always!”

How did he do that?!

Because he knew the truth that the Lord is near, he is our Yahweh Shammah, and he is omnipresent. God is always present and working things out for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes (Rom 8:28).

If we can embrace the truths of who God is, that his plans are better for us than our own, that he is going to take care of us and is working all things out for our good, then we can be content where he has us.

Even if my daughter is screaming in my face or I live 9 hours away from the nearest mountain. Even if our clients don’t get easier over time and my house is never fully complete.

I can be content. I can practice gratitude for all the good that I do have and be content that God is enough for me in every area of my life.

I challenge you this month to think of the areas where you’ve been struggling with contentment. Write them down before God. Then bring your requests to Him with thanksgiving and ask for him to help you find contentment. After that, write a gratitude list of at least 20 things you have to be thankful for today. Then I want you to spend the next week adding 10 more things you’re grateful for so that at the end of the week you have a list of 80 things you have to thank God for.

Rest in the contentment that list brings you and refer to it and add to it often.

Rooting for you,

Marcie D

Finding Joy