Contentment. Is It Really Possible?

Contentment seems to be one of those elusive words we all like to throw around. We all desperately want it, but do we even know for sure what that word truly means? We assign contentment to the feeling we have when life is good, all our plans play out the way we want them to, and our worries are under control.
Why is that? I think I’ve done that because it somehow lets me think in some way that I’ve been responsible for bringing about contentment in my life. Let’s me believe that ultimately my happiness is my doing. I’ve told myself in the past that when I reach a certain goal, accomplish something that will be highlighted by others, work hard to earn enough money, or control the people that are in my life, I will be able to take a deep breath and sink into my self-made contentment.
As a person in recovery from an eating disorder and alcoholism I can tell you that I have chased every conceived possibility to find contentment. I never found it in the anorexia, bulimia or the drinking. I never found contentment in the praises from people for what I accomplished or the persona of perfection I tried to portray.
Today I spend a lot of time in God’s Word rearranging a lot of what I thought I knew about Him and about myself. I approach the pages with a fresh humility and am learning that all the religion I have been so proud about in my life needs a check. Perhaps one of the biggest changes for me is God reminding me again and again that my contentment is found truly only in Him. It’s been a humbling journey. I’ve been drawn to study Philippians 4:4-13. It’s here I believe God gives us not only the definition of contentment, but how He brings it about in our lives.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
v. 6-7 NLT

God’s peace…more than we can comprehend…I’d call that contentment. That’s what I want. How does God bring this about? How do I stop worrying and give all my concerns to Him? How do I know to always thank Him for what He’s done? It’s not automatic. It’s not an ability that is granted to me easily. Check out what Paul says in verses 11-2

“…..for I have LEARNED how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation…..” (capitalized emphasis is mine).

The word “learned” makes me squirm a little. It seems that I learn the most when I’ve gone through hard things, tough times. Learning contentment takes time and it takes me continually turning to God for all my needs, physically, emotionally, or mentally. It’s a humble recognition that I can’t rely upon myself to bring about what I want or need in my life. The peace and contentment that I tried desperately to make happen by starving myself, achieving goals, impressing people never materialized. If I have learned anything on this journey to whole living is that my happiness, joy and contentment is not found in my striving. Anything I muster up on my own accord is fleeting. True, lasting contentment comes from God, and that takes time to learn, humility to do things God’s way, and gratitude for all that I am and have in Christ.

What is my part in bringing about God’s contentment in my life? Check out what Paul says:

“Always be full of joy IN THE LORD. I say it again—rejoice!” V. 4 NLT (capitalized emphasis is mine).
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do…” V. 5
“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” V. 8 NLT

When I continually remind myself of who I am in Christ, that I am loved by God beyond my comprehension and that I am truly Abba’s child (Ephesians 1 and Romans 8), my joy is anchored in Him not myself. When I am thinking and living for others around me and not solely for myself, I realize I am created to be connected to others and find joy in that connection. When I am careful to consider what I’m spending my time thinking about it’s easier to have peace. I must continually check how much time I’m on social media, listening to the state of the world in the news, and I need to actively find ways to fill my mind with good things.

I’m finding it easier to walk away from contentious debates, to not involve myself in things that really don’t need my interference, and to let a lot of things not bother me in the way they used to. I’m slowly learning. God has been faithful in letting the peace and contentment He gives flow into my life more as I learn. Is true contentment possible? Yes, but it’s not found in the empty things I’ve chased for so long. True contentment is found in a higher place than my striving. The contentment I now have is found in knowing that the One who holds me and loves me will never leave me. I’ve let that Truth sink in deep and settle in my soul.