Contentment. It’s not a very popular word, so let’s look at the definition from a dictionary: “the state of being emotionally or mentally satisfied with the way things are”. Contentment is also not a popular idea in our culture. Do you ever find yourself thinking, “When I make X amount of money I’ll be happy”, or “when I lose 10 pounds”, “When i have a boy/girlfriend”, “when i get this many followers”, or “When I buy this game/shirt/purse/shoes/phone” then I’ll be happy?
More, more, more. Enough is never enough. This attitude of our culture is very dangerous and leaves you unhappy and greedy.
I heard a story about a wealthy employer who overheard one of his employees remark, “You know what? If I had $1,000, I would be perfectly content.” Knowing that wealth had never brought him contentment, he walked over to the employee and said, “You know, I have always wanted to meet someone who is perfectly content. So I am going to grant your wish.” He pulled out his checkbook, and wrote a check for $1,000 and gave it to her. As he walked away, he overheard her say rather bitterly, “Why didn’t I ask for $2,000?”
That’s how it goes, it’s human nature to want more. I’m not saying it’s bad to want things. I’m saying it’s not good for us to focus on what we don’t have while we are dissatisfied with the things that we do have. Most of us have so many possessions, yet we enjoy so few of them, because we’re caught up wanting the latest stuff. When we have that type of attitude it becomes a vicious cycle. Wanting new things because they make you happy, then getting that new thing, then that new thing becomes old in a few day. After that, you’re left feeling dissatisfied once again, and thus the cycle repeats.
People buy things to make them happy. But, the more they buy, the more they want. See, vicious cycle. If buying the newest stuff really makes people happy, why would people keep wanting and buying more?
Being content isn't easy. But it can be one of the most important lessons to learn in life. Contentment is a choice. When you take a step back and look at all that you have, your mindset starts to change. You’ll start to see all the blessings you have. We need to realize that we are extremely blessed; and maybe, just maybe that new thing we “need” won't make us happy.
You won't find contentment with things or money. You find contentment through Christ. 1st Timothy 6:6-7 says: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”
“Contentment is not a factor of my circumstances; contentment is a choice. True joy is not the result of having everything I want; true joy is the result of gratefully receiving exactly what God has given me.” Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
