Contentment
 

"...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content"

I think I am learning what it means... Not that I have ever had great trials in my life - I have not, yet I, like many have wished things were different in many ways. For me, it has been various things through the years, and I surmise I am not different than most.

Church, education, occupation, location, family, status, income level... It seems if one is conquered there is always something else. Putting Christ in His rightful place is the simple answer to be sure, yet many of us Christians have struggled with this.

I think I am starting to get a newer and better perspective (Thank You, Lord!) - not to relinquish the pursuit, but to hold fast to a certain level of contentment in the pursuit.

About ten years ago I was privileged to travel to London and work with some sweeps. It was a fantastic experience working in the old homes and visiting with the owners. It did not take me long to get a healthy dose of envy from my host Sweep for the day. He had a Mercedes Benz in the drive and had a very nice home. I wished I was in his shoes. He was a second generation chimney sweep and had done well.

He was kind and accommodating, but like myself, also plagued with discontentment. The weather was a bit dreary and the rain would come and go as it does in that part of the world. It did not take me long to find out he really would rather be living in Spain where his brother lived - No rain there and the "most beautiful place on Earth"!

It never really ends does it? God help us all to be content!

Is the grass REALLY GREENER "over there"?

Re: Contentment
 

Paul has been on my mind a lot lately. How many things he went through, just trying to spread the news of the Gospel. Hungry, thirsty, in prison or out, he somehow knew what mattered the most.
The only way we can be content I believe is through Jesus Christ.

Re: Contentment
 

Wish I were that content.

Re: Contentment
 

Here are a few happy thoughts on contentment:

My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: My crown is called content: A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy. - Shakespeare.. (So spoken by Henry VI)

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not. Remember that what you now have was once among the things that you only hoped for.

-Epicurus

Here are some links to "contentment quotes"...

http://thinkexist.com/quotations/contentment/

http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/contentment/

http://www.worldofquotes.com/topic/C...ent/index.html

http://www.achieving-life-abundance....nt-quotes.html

Re: Contentment
 

this is the key, and one that I struggle with.

Re: Contentment
 

Some times not being content is a good thing, imo.

It's in these moments that we have to question the sources behind the discontentment, right?

Somethings you really can't change the quicker you realize it, the better you'll be.

Somethings you could change, but you have to weigh the costs.

Somethings you should simply change, correct, etc.

Whaddya think?

Re: Contentment
 

Godliness with contentment is great gain for sure. I am trying to get there.The Idea of simplicity or a simple life comes to me when in prayer lately.

Re: Contentment
 

Maybe a better way to put it would be it's best not to be complacent.

I believe we need to strive to be content.

Re: Contentment
 

I believe that a certain balance has to be obtained in contentment. It can be our best friend or worst enemy!

The difference is in the level of assertiveness applied. One can be so content that they never seek change to better their life for themselves or their family. For instance, one can be content with a high school education and never seek higher learning which would give them better job security and income for their future.

On the other hand, their are folks that are driven to always be looking for something better, not taking the time to reflect and be thankful for what they currently have.

Re: Contentment
 

Thanks for writing this, Steve. I have struggled with contentment especially since leaving the UPC. I used to have my life mapped out for me....I was happy doing what I was doing for the most part. Now, I find myself struggling, yet again, to fit into a culture I don't understand. Some of it is familiar, but much of it is not. (Used to live in a drinking culture, then got into a UPC culture, now trying to fit into the larger culture).

Re: Contentment
 

Yes indeed. I am certainly not saying give it all up. But find a level of contentment while in the pursuit of a better life. I like your signature ... "If we don't change our direction we're likely to end up where we're headed."

I do think the expectations of how it will be when we "arrive" are often distorted reality, and we often "get there" just in time to see someone raised the bar and moved the cheese.:foottap

Re: Contentment
 

Probably my biggest discontent has been realizing that education is worthwhile. I wish I would have raised my kids to be more education minded and less church minded. I hadn't realized how important an education has become until we left the UPC. When I got into the UPC, that was back when you could actually make a living climbing the ladder. I know a person can do that now too, but it is much harder...jobs are becoming more and more scarce without a degree. My daughter has always been a good student....my son, that is another matter. I have to keep reminding myself that there is always a plan B. But it makes me feel like a failure and I get very discontented with the fact that I did not see things sooner. It's also hard to let go and say "Kids make their own choices". They do....to some degree. But, part of it is how they were raised.

Re: Contentment
 

Good thoughts on contentment.

The serenity prayer comes to mind:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

It's not always easy > and the grass does look greener....

Re: Contentment
 

That's one of my favorite prayers. It is really quite brilliant...it really covers all the bases. :thumbsup

Re: Contentment
 

You are right Mike, we learn a lot in the struggles we go through. As long as we don't give in to the struggle, and let our minds fill with despair. I think that's what the Apostle Paul learned. He was not always living a joyful life, but learned that whatever he was going through to be settled in his mind.

Re: Contentment
 

Got this in my email inbox. Looks like it fits this thread.

Re: Contentment
 

Maybe more Jesus minded than church minded. I know it's probably hard to separate the two. And then there are people that waste great educations. So you do the best you can with what you know at the time. Then contentment may be able to be achieved.

Re: Contentment
 

I am all for being God-minded, but the church teaches committment to church sometimes even more than to God.

I think there is more than one way to be successful and sometimes we just have to remember that. The world points one way, the church another. But godliness with contentment is great gain. Maybe true success is being content. Maybe we need to use the right measuring stick.

Yesterday, I got stuck with my husband's pick-up truck. I am used to having an all wheel drive and the truck was in 2 wheel drive. I was trying to move the truck and spinning my wheels. A guy came up and said I needed to lock the hubs and put it into 4 wheel drive. He did a couple things and I drove right out.

I think life is like that sometimes. You spin your wheels not knowing the power to drive right out is right under your nose. It's in you. You just need a little shift and you can drive right out. :thumbsup

Re: Contentment
 

"Contentment in circumstances is good!

However, any man who has desires, may not be satisfied.

Contentment & Satisfaction are 2 very different things I believe.

Re: Contentment
 

1 Timothy 6(KJV) 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.


Wow that's some powerful stuff right there in those 5 verses.

Re: Contentment
 

Amen - Thank you!

Re: Contentment
 

lots of good thoughts on this thread.

Re: Contentment
 

I like this one.

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

Epicurus

Re: Contentment
 

From time to time it seems some would rather be contentious then being contented.