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).