Contentment moments

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether, I have much or little.” -- Philippians 4:11 NLT

The source of Paul’s joy despite the circumstances around him was the fact that he was able to learn contentment. ‘Contentment’ is not applicable to one’s relationship with God or to one’s spiritual walk; it is best applied to the material world rather than to one’s spiritual journey. It is when we are walking in brokenness that a growing discontent in our lives becomes so strong while a loss of appetite for the temporary is also growing. To learn material contentment, we must first learn to be spiritually discontented with where we are. As we find such holy dissatisfaction in our spiritual lives, we enjoy learning to live above our situations.

Moments of contentment have always been a regular visitor but we seldom take the time to stop and have a chat with contentment, being too busy, too complicated and too proud to stop and talk a while but perhaps, on some rare occasions, contentment moments are enjoyed, and there, we finally enjoy a deep kind of rest in an ordinary moment. Sometimes, most often spontaneously, we find ourselves not in any hurry to finish something. It happens when we drink a cup of coffee minus the presence of pressure; a time to read a chapter from a book that we have long planned to read; a smile due to a recollection of something pleasant. These are precious moments of contentment that we all need to humbly admit we need to learn and re-learn as we go through this journey.

It is actually seeing every moment in the eyes of grace and living each moment under the control of God. Not every moment will be serene, nostalgic, and romantic, yet, a person who has learned the art of contentment has clearly fixed the boundary between wants and needs... and with the eyes of simple faith, he enjoys the mixture of brokenness and blessedness, being full and being empty. Without pretending, those who learn contentment admit that life is hard and difficult, but in grace, they have stopped controlling what is not under their control. An authentic Christ-like attitude is a result of being under the influence of Christ. Take a peek at this list of the processes of learning contentment:

• We learn contentment by not demanding our way... instead, we become understanding of others.

• We learn contentment by not pretending that we don’t have a need but by becoming willing to adjust to situations God allows.

• We learn contentment by not trusting our strength... instead, we avail of Christ’s strength.

• We learn contentment by not neglecting others... instead, affirming their partnership in fulfilling God’s purpose.

• We learn contentment by not forgetting that God is the ultimate supplier of our needs, remembering that others also are His instruments.

• We learn contentment by not abusing the kindness of others... instead, we show gratitude and integrity in grace.

Enjoy the learning moments and enjoy more moments of contentment. Thank you for reading... I always write from my heart.