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DAY 2: Contentment

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

Hebrews 13:5–6 (KJV)

Tʜᴇ ᴍᴏᴅᴇʀɴ ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ is wealthier than ever and yet the poorest when it comes to satisfaction. We have more than any other generation, yet we are still plagued with unhappiness. It is easier to get what we want yet still many find themselves unhappy.

Many are living life in a way that they always see from the perspective of what is lacking. There is an insatiable appetite for more and many are on a great quest to reach the pinnacle of what the world perceives as ‘success’.

I believe the root of our discontent in life lies in the quest for more of the success that is portrayed in the world. The idea of achieving growth via the process of progression to the achievement of success in our lives is good. However, we should understand that the ideal sold to us by the world over promises and under delivers in the end. When we reach the ‘ultimate goal’ we had perceived to be the point at which we would be happy, we come to the sad realisation that it is not the case.

One of the keys to living a life of contentment is learning to appreciate what we have at any given point. Having a heart of gratitude for what God has given, coupled with hope that He will give you what you need in the future, will allow you to live a life of contentment. What you don’t have in the present that is material is something you do not need for that moment or season. No matter where you are and what you have, there is something you can appreciate and show gratitude for. In Philippians 4:12, the Scripture says “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

As we learn in the book of Philippians, there are seasons in life where we may experience lack and we may not have the things we want. This is because at times when God wants to elevate us, He may allow for us to go through times of lack to train us to abound and abase. It is a reminder that our lives should not be focused on finding happiness or seeking the material.

Take Home

Life is not always about what we have but about what we do with what we have and who we are in Christ.

Prayer

Father I thank you that today every competitive spirit is uprooted from my soul. I choose to live a life of love and selflessness. I choose to be content in life and refuse to be overcome by covetousness. I am a blessing. Thank you for the grace that is available for me to be content with your love in the kingdom. Amen

Further Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6–10