I've found that true contentment is something you can only really grasp and hold onto when God is at the center of your life. It's about finding that deep sense of satisfaction and thankfulness, no matter what life throws your way.
The Bible teaches us that contentment is a virtue we should all strive for. It's what brings us peace and joy, regardless of our circumstances. It's not always easy, but it's definitely worth pursuing.
There's this passage in Philippians 4:11-13 where Paul talks about his own experience with contentment. He says, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." That's powerful stuff, right?
Paul's words show us that contentment isn't about how much stuff we have or what we've accomplished. It's about our relationship with God and our trust in Him. It's about accepting where we are right now, knowing that in every season, in every situation, we can experience God's love and provision.
Just like Paul, we can learn to be content in both good times and bad. We can find that sweet spot of satisfaction knowing that through Christ, we have the strength to face anything.
And I know to be humbled, and I know to abound; in everything, and in all things, I am taught both to be full and to hunger, both to abound, and to be in need.
For we have brought nothing into the world, and it is plain that neither can we carry anything out.But having food and coverings, we will be satisfied with these.
Not that I speak as to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.And I know to be humbled, and I know to abound; in everything, and in all things, I am taught both to be full and to hunger, both to abound, and to be in need.I can do all things in Christ, the One strengthening me.
But godliness with contentment is great gain.For we have brought nothing into the world, and it is plain that neither can we carry anything out.But having food and coverings, we will be satisfied with these.
Set your way of life without moneyloving, being satisfied with present things; for He has said, “Not I will leave you, not ever! Nor I will not forsake you, not ever!” Deut. 31:6
Not that I speak as to need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.
Therefore I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful.
Because of this, I say to you, Do not be anxious for your soul, what you eat and what you drink, nor for your body, what you put on. Is not the soul more than the food and the body than the clothing?Observe the birds of the heaven, that they do not sow, nor do they reap, nor do they gather into granaries, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Do you not rather excel them?
And He said to them, Beware, and be on guard from covetousness; for one’s life is not in the abundance of the things belonging of him.
be mindful of the same thing toward one another, not being mindful of high things, but be accommodating to the lowly. Do not become wise among yourselves;
A Song of Ascents. Of David. O Jehovah, my heart is not proud, nor have my eyes been lofty; nor have I walked in great things, and not in things too wonderful for me.If not I have set myself and have quieted my soul, like one weaned by its mother; my soul on me is as one weaned.
Because of this, I say to you, Do not be anxious for your soul, what you eat and what you drink, nor for your body, what you put on. Is not the soul more than the food and the body than the clothing?
And also every man that eats and drinks, and sees good in his labor, it is the gift of God.
The young lions have lacked and been hungry; but they who seek Jehovah shall not lack any good.
To the chief musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. Only to God is my soul silent; from Him comes my salvation.He alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong tower; I shall not be greatly shaken.
But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,meekness, self-control. Against such things there is not a law.
Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah than great treasure and tumult with it.Better is a meal of herbs and love than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
The fear of Jehovah tends to life, and he shall rest satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Therefore, brothers, I call on you through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.
All the days of the afflicted one are evil days, but a good heart is a continual feast.
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
“casting all your anxiety onto Him,” because it matters to Him concerning you. LXX-Psa. 54:23; MT-Psa. 55:22
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, into His courts with praise; be thankful to Him; bless His name.For Jehovah is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His faithfulness to generation and generation.
But we know that to the ones loving God all things work together for good, to the ones being called out ones according to purpose;
I know that there is no good in them, except for a man to rejoice to do good in his life.
You will make Me know the way of life. In Your presence is fullness of joys; at Your right hand are pleasures forever.
And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, for you to abound in hope, in power of the Holy Spirit.
He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but gave Him over on behalf of us all, how will He not freely give all things to us with Him?
And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Jehovah, have not forsaken those who seek You.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Remove vanity and the word of a lie far from me, do not give me poverty or riches; tear for me my portion of bread,lest I become satisfied and deceive, and say, Who is Jehovah? Or lest I become dispossessed and steal, and lay hold of the name of my God.
And God is able to make all grace to abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self sufficiency, you may abound to every good work;
giving thanks at all times for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, even to God the Father,
And my God will fill your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Then whether you eat or drink, or anything you do, do all things to the glory of God.
Come to Me, all those laboring and being burdened, and I will give you rest.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am meek and lowly in heart, “and you will find rest to your souls.” Jer. 6:16For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
giving thanks to the Father, who has made us fit for a share of the inheritance of the saints in light,
Rest in Jehovah and wait patiently for Him; inflame not yourself with him who prospers in his way, with the man practicing wicked wiles.
A heart of healing is the life of the flesh, but jealousy is the rottenness of the bones.
For Jehovah God is a sun and shield; Jehovah will give grace and glory; He will not withhold good from those who walk in integrity.
Behold, God is my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for my strength and song is Jah Jehovah; yea, He has become my salvation.
O my soul, why are you cast down? And why do you moan within me? Hope in God, for I yet thank Him for the salvations of my face and my God.
whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and who glory in their shame, the ones thinking earthly things.
For who makes you to differ? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as not receiving it?
Better is a dry piece of bread, and quietness with it, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Then I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling in which you were called,with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love,being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
but the ones waiting for Jehovah shall renew strength; they shall go up with wings as the eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint!
For you have need of enduring patience, that having done the will of God you may obtain the promise.
But let us not be wearied in doing good; for in its own time we shall reap, not growing faint-hearted.
Be still and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
And not only so, but we glory also in afflictions, knowing that affliction fully works patient endurance,and patient endurance fully works proven character; and proven character, hope.And the hope not puts to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One given to us;
And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will rather gladly boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ might dwell on me.
The name of Jehovah is a tower of strength; the righteous one runs into it and is set on high.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
And also ones serving as soldiers asked him, saying, And we, what shall we do? And he said to them, Do not forcibly extort anyone nor accuse falsely, and be satisfied with your wages.
Do all things without murmurings and disputings,that you may be blameless and guileless, children of God, without fault in the midst of a crooked generation, even being perverted, among whom you shine as luminaries in the world,
And I have thanks to Him empowering me, our Lord Jesus Christ, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the service;
And eagerly aspiring to be quiet, and to do your own things, and to work with your own hands, as we enjoined you,
But you are “an elect race,” “a royal priesthood,” “a holy nation,” “a people for possession,” so that “you may proclaim the excellencies” of the One who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; LXX-Ex. 23:22; MT-Ex. 19:5, 6
The eyes of all hope to You; and You give them their food in due time.You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you; nor shall the covenant of My peace be removed, says Jehovah who has pity on you.
As His divine power having given as a gift to us all things pertaining to life and godliness through the full knowledge of the One calling us through glory and virtue,through which have been given as a gift to us the very great and precious promises, so that through these we might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world by lust.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also were called in one body, and coming to be thankful.
Also every man to whom God has given riches and treasures, and gives him power to eat of it, and to take his share, and to rejoice in being a laborer; it is the gift of God.
Do not treasure up for you treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves dig through and steal.But treasure up for you treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves do not dig through and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
But thanks be to God that you were slaves of sin, but you obeyed from the heart a form of doctrine to which you were given over.But having been set free from sin, you were enslaved to righteousness.
Only be silent to God, O my soul, for my hope is from Him.He alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong tower; I shall not be shaken.
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms with Christ,
See what manner of love the Father has given us, that we may be called children of God. Because of this the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
So my glory shall praise You, and not be quiet; O Jehovah, my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Many sorrows are to the wicked one; but he who trusts in Jehovah, mercy embraces him.Be glad in Jehovah and rejoice, you righteous ones; and all the upright in heart, give a ringing cry of joy.
How precious is Your mercy, O God! And the sons of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
and if you let out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the soul of the afflicted one; then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall be as the noonday.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom also we have had access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we glory on the hope of the glory of God.
whom having not known, you love; in whom not yet seeing, but believing, you exult with joy unspeakable and being glorified,
Therefore we do not fail in heart, but if indeed our outward man is being consumed, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.For each one that asks receives, and the one that seeks finds; and to the one knocking, it will be opened.
But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and by petition with thanksgivings, let your requests be made known to God;and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
You will keep in peace, perfect peace the mind sustained by You, for he trusts in You.Trust in Jehovah forever, for in Jah Jehovah is an everlasting Rock.
A Song of Ascents. They who trust in Jehovah shall be like Mount Zion; it is not shaken; it remains forever.
Rejoice always.Pray without ceasing.In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.