Contentment as a Key To A Happy Life

Key Scriptures:

Introduction

One of the most incredible lessons to learn is the lesson of contentment. There was an Italian man who had gone through so much with great endurance. When asked how he learned contentment, he expressed his ability to view life through a fourfold lens.

“First, I look within me, then without me, afterwards beneath me, and last of all, above me.” He looked within and saw such guilt and unworthiness that whatever blessings balanced his afflictions, they were more than he deserved. He looked without and saw those who had far many more problems than himself, and this made every complaint a piece of sore ingratitude to him. He looked beneath and saw the earth, into which his body would soon be lowered, and when all of life’s trials would be over once and for all. He looked above and saw by faith his home in Heaven, and this made the light affliction but for a moment, not worthy to be compared with the glory waiting to be revealed. The fourfold look silenced all murmuring, and produced calm submission to God’s will. (AMG Bible Illustrations. (2000). AMG Publishers.)

Defining Contentment

In the Old Testament, the word content means to be willing, in agreement. In the New Testament, content means to be satisfied, to make do, think well of, take pleasure in.

One definition refers to contentment as the state of one’s mind in which one’s desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be (1 Timothy 6:6-8) (Easton Bible Dictionary).

Contentment is an offspring of humility and an intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of divine providence, the greatness of divine promises, and our own unworthiness... (Easton Bible Dictionary).

“Content to dwell”

Sometimes, we must be willing to just sit still and dwell in a position place until God tells us its time to move in a different direction. An example of this is in Exodus 2:11-21. Moses was on the run and decided to dwell in Midian with a man. This passage is interesting, because it demonstrates the pressures of dwelling in a place that is not as comfortable, but is a temporary place for where you are ultimately supposed to be.

This requires a person to use their contentment in Midian as a time of learning.

Balancing How To Be Content

When being content is bad...

Content to stay in slavery- Joshua 7:7