![]() Contentment means we have to abandon the pursuit of perfection and instead strive for God’s beauty and redemption in our lives. It requires laser focus on what God has for you without being distracted by what could be instead. It’s being ready to be obedient to God’s guidance in every season. It’s the active pursuit of the life God has just for YOU. Contentment is not a static state of being. How many of us find ourselves longing to be content with our lives, bodies, marriages, finances, circumstances, personalities, faith, and stories that we have been given?Ĭontentment is a discipline, and it is hard.Įnvy, ungratefulness, comparison, and fear are the things that stop us from living with contentment. The definition of contentment is the state of being satisfied or the source of satisfaction. Not to rain on the parade of this beloved verse but the idea that we have to endure hardship to understand what it means to be content and provided for is not as exciting as just focusing on the promise that we’ll always, almost magically, have what we need in Christ.Ĭontentment from the bible is usually associated with moderation, a sense of God’s guidance and readiness for obedience. ![]() It was then that he realized that he can do all things through the power of Christ. It is in these trying situations that he was taught the discipline of contentment. ![]() Paul is explaining that he has endured lows, hunger, and need. We’ve all probably heard the latter part of this passage….”I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” It’s a beautiful message of strength, help, and confidence from the Lord! However, the context of these words is so important to understand their message. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. There have been times in the past I have been too quick to encourage people to get together with someone who has sinned against them and grant forgiveness.TOPIC: The Spiritual Discipline of Contentment. It can take time to get to the place where we can forgive and restore the relationship. If someone hurts or betrays us and then asks forgiveness, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about that sin and how it hurt us. It doesn’t mean we just brush it under the carpet and move on. So when someone sins against you, I would not say you just quickly and flippantly say, Oh well, I forgive you, that’s ok. ![]() Sadly, even Christians fall into horrible sin at times and it can be life shattering when you are sinned against. We live in a fallen world, and both Christians and non-Christians sin against each other. Seems straight ahead and simple, right? Maybe not quite so straight ahead and simple as it seems on the surface. ![]() For this reason: He has forgiven our incalculable debt against him, so we should forgive those who sin against us. God commands his children to forgive each other. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ![]()
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