Contentment

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.“ I Timothy 6:6

In the past several years, God has been teaching me the importance of being content. It has not been an easy lesson but it is one I need in order to be victorious in this life. I’m always amazed at God’s ability to add by subtracting. Through the loss of my full-time income, I have gained and am currently gaining more than I ever imagined. I am gaining virtues that cannot be purchased with money yet they are more precious than gold. One of which, is contentment.

The bible states, “Godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world,” I Timothy 6:6

Godly contentment does not come naturally. It is a learned behavior. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content,” Philippians 4:11. As great a preacher as Paul was, he had to learn contentment.

It is very easy to be content when we have plenty. However, it is during the seasons of less that godly contentment is birthed. Less includes (but is not limited to) money, material things, social status, friendships,honor and etc.  Paul also stated, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, “ Philippians 4:12-13. God taught Paul  contentment through his circumstances.

Godly contentment is not determined by the earthly things a person has. It is determined by the relationship and trust one has in Jesus Christ and God the Father’s promise to supply all our need according to His riches in glory, (Philippians 4:19).

It was not until I left my job as a high school Spanish teacher, to become a stay at home mom, that I realized how much value I placed on my career and the ability to acquire materialistic things. I was completely unaware how much of my identity was seeded in external things. My husband and I had, what most people consider, a very healthy combined income. While I was working a full-time job, I could afford to purchase almost everything (within reason) I desired.

The decision for me to come home with our children required both of us to make sacrifices, which meant a lot of budget cuts. Most of which, included cutting out unnecessary spending, such as eating out every weekend. That was a big one. I love ordering out on the weekends! We had to focus on needs more than wants. I had to learn to live off my husband’s salary. At that time, my husband’s salary was almost half what it is now.

In the beginning, I did not think it would be a difficult adjustment. I quickly realized just how difficult it is to separate who you are from what you do and have. I don’t know which was harder; the budget cuts or becoming dependent on my husband, but that’s a blog entry for another time.

The Holy Spirit is certainly transforming my mind in this area. God has brought me so far. I am learning that God’s grace is enough for us. He knows what we need in every season of our lives.  That doesn’t mean I don’t desire more. It simply means, I am grateful for what God has already provided. I choose to be happy, even if He does not to give me what I want, when I want it. I am learning to submit my desires to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

There is nothing wrong with desiring to have and/or do more. But we must be careful not to allow our wants to supercede the will of God.  As Christians, our thoughts and desires should be completely submitted to the will of Jesus Christ in obedience to God. “ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Although, it’s been almost seven years since I left my full-time job, there are still times that I struggle with being content.  When I find myself discontented and frustrated, I do the following three things.

1.  Thank God for salvation. I thank Him for sacrificing His son Jesus Christ for me, for giving me a relationship with Him, for being a good Heavenly Father and filling me with His Holy Spirit. Which always, leads me to number 2.
2.  Sincerely thank God for all he has provided. Sometimes, I have to list them. Of course the list is always so long that I am unable to name everything but it helps me realize just how good God is to me and my family.
3.  Ask God to let His will be done in my life, even if it does not include my  plans. God’s will is always better than anything we can imagine. He has a divine plan for our lives. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”  Ephesians 3:20

As a result, I am able to focus on what is of true importance. If you are battling with discontentment, I encourage you to do these things as well. Remember, our Heavenly Father loves us. He is always looking out for our best interests.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,“ Jeremiah 29:19

Have you ever found yourself battling with discontentment?