Being Content in Life

Philippians 4:11

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

Content – A state of peaceful happiness.

As I sat in my overstuffed chair by the front bay window, sipping my coffee and looking at the snow falling down, I thought, what a beautiful gift this is that God provides for us. Not necessarily the snow gently descending from the sky, even though it was beautiful, but the peaceful happiness that I was feeling in my heart.

I took another sip of my coffee and thought about how far God has brought me. I remember a time in my life when I was influenced by societal expectations that individuals should continuously strive for more and that the more one had, the happier they would be. And if I was happy, then I would be content.

Boy was I wrong!

It did not matter if I had a fancy job title with a corner office or a nice house and car or recognition for my achievements. None of those things brought me true contentment.

Ironically, it was not until I lost all those things: my marriage, my house, my job, that I found out what it truly meant to be content.

Losing everything required me to turn to God.

You see, prior to my losses and hardships, I relied solely on my own efforts and rarely experienced a consistent state of peaceful happiness. Sure, I was happy at times, but I was always stressed and burnt out – never feeling that sense of peace. However, through my relationship with God, I learned that being content is not about having everything I desire, but about being content no matter what I have or do not have. It is about understanding, trusting, having faith and hope, knowing in my heart that God will always provide me with everything that I need, even when things are not perfect.

It is during these times that I can find peaceful happiness because I know that God’s plan is greater than the obstacles I am facing and that He will see me through any circumstances. His ability to instill contentment enables me to experience joy, satisfaction, and peace regardless of how chaotic or uncontrollable circumstances may appear.

I took another sip of coffee and gazing out the window, I thanked God for how far He has brought me.

My prayer for you is that Philippians 4:11 helps remind you that through your faith, your contentment can be constant in Christ, not dictated by what you do or do not have. And as you begin relying on His strength and trust in His plan, you will find that sense of peaceful happiness in everything – good or bad.