The Search for Contentment

Contentment is a way sure – Caused by thankfulness to ensure.

Have you ever witnessed a God-Creation that takes your breath away? A glorious fall tree, a rainbow, a sunrise or sunset, or clouds of various colors? That is when I know the contentment that God IS, and I give thanks. The contentment I know comes from Him. I give thanks when we hear from our children and grandchildren. I give thanks for answered prayer for all prayers are answered. I give thanks for God whose thoughts are above my thoughts and I can trust Him.

Psalm 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

The words to the old hymn, “And He walks with me and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own….” come to me and I know that He is the author of Contentment.

Contentment – is an elusive condition of the heart. It is like humility. If you think you have it, you don’t. It is not a goal to aspire to in itself. It is difficult to take a picture of contentment to remember a moment. But we have reminders in God’s creation and His Word and being dependent on Him.

Contentment is a response to thankfulness, to a smile, to a sunset or a sunrise God created. Contentment spreads through one’s being like the warmth of the sun on a cold day. Contentment is much deeper and lasts longer than fleeting happiness.

• Contentment is hearing voices sing God’s praise in deep harmony.
• Contentment is listening to a prayer of a child or a spouse or a parent.
• Contentment is knowing you are loved.
• Contentment is an oasis of love.
• Contentment is watching bread rise and then bake with a tantalizing scent of home.
• Contentment is a hug in a warm embrace or holding the hand of someone you love.
• Contentment is hearing you have no cavities or when you recover from an illness.
• Contentment is saying thank you, and know a ‘you’re welcome’ is just around the corner.
• Contentment is having a true friend.
• Contentment is looking into a baby’s trusting eyes.
• Contentment is being chosen.
• Contentment is hearing the words, “I love you.”
• Contentment is reading God’s Word aloud.
• Contentment is watching huge snowflakes cascade down from God’s storehouse.
• Contentment is hearing a friend pray for you with tears in their eyes.
• Contentment is writing or receiving a note of encouragement.
• Contentment is knowing you have given your all.
• Contentment is going to sleep in the arms of God, in ultra security.
• Contentment is knowing you don’t have holes in your socks.
• Contentment is knowing you KNOW Jesus!
• Contentment is being thankful in all things.
• Contentment is only available through dependence on Jesus.

Contentment has many different robes to wear – love, peace, joy, thankfulness, patience, self-control, goodness, kindness and gentleness. Each ‘robe’ lends itself to a state of contentment. Contentment knows no limitation of poverty or gold. It is the treasure of the heart.

The tattered robes that signify dis-contentment are worry, chaos, turmoil, anger, hate and a critical spirit. Busyness in life chokes out contentment. It is said that we must stop and smell the roses….I say, We must stop and give thanks to God and then we will know contentment. Trust begets contentment. Peace begets contentment. Contentment lies beneath the sacrifice of praise.

Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Isaiah 8:17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.

Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.