Contentment

What does it mean to you when I say the word “contentment”? Does it mean being able to have what you desire or to have all your plans and dreams fulfilled? If I were to actually look at the dictionary to find the meaning of contentment it would be described as, “happiness with one’s situation in life”. But can someone really find true happiness in his or her situation in life? Uhm… I think the answer to that would depend on the person I’d be asking it to, wouldn’t it? Yah, it would and I’d probably get a bunch of answers to that like, “If _ would be my girlfriend/boyfriend I would be content” or “If I had a million dollars I’d be content” or “If I’d get a good job” and so on. If we would continue to have answers like this, wouldn’t we be putting a limit to contentment as an “earthly basis” and for sure most of these answers may not come true to all of us or if they would, it probably doesn’t end up giving the person contentment at all but probably make him or her crave for more.

What about if I put you in a situation where you work hard for a living yet never get promoted, give a lot but never receive anything, have so much love to the world yet don’t get any love in return, would you be content with what you have?? I bet the answer you have on your mind is “no”. Even I would have that answer in the back of my mind. (hehehe) But you know what, in the situation like that we can still answer “yes”… if, we learn not to have any EXPECTATIONS. No expectations in life means giving your best even if you don’t expect anything in return, helping someone not expecting to be recognized for it, giving and not expecting to receive anything back, and loving even if it isn’t reciprocated. Contentment is “accepting”, accepting what God puts us through, whether easy-going or bumpy as ever. Even if we are not happy with our situation in life, we can still be content by learning to accept what the Lord has in stored for us. Accepting that His mighty plans for our life is greater than anything that we “expect” it to be in our minds. A person can never truly have happiness in his or her situation in life if it would not be centered on Jesus because it is only through Him that we can truly find the greatest satisfaction, a satisfaction that only He can fill that can truly give us contentment.

It says in Philippians 4:10 and I quote, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”