THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Not that I was ever in need, 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, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Philippians 4:11-12 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul tells us he has learned the secret of contentment. There is a big difference between contentment and complacency.
We know that Paul was pressing forward in his desire to know the Lord Jesus better and to be conformed to His image. He was never complacent in his personal growth.
Paul was content in his material resources. He was not one who demanded luxury or comfort to be happy in life.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to have the nicer things of life. But the secret of living a life of peace is learning to live content with what you have. That doesn’t mean you are complacent or lazy. It means you learn to enjoy what you have and where you are.
As Cindy and I have traveled in various parts of the world we have stayed in a variety of environments. We have eaten a variety of foods in some very interesting places. I have lived in a mobile home, more than one apartment, rental homes, and some very nice homes. We have learned to adjust to life in the circumstance we found ourselves.
I believe the secret to peace is learning to enjoy where you are and what you have. Instead of fretting over what you don’t have try to enjoy what you do have.
It seems to me a lot of the anger, frustration, and anxiety of life is caused by people who are not content. This lack of contentment has been increased by television and social media. We see snapshots of lifestyles we wish we could have. Rarely are those snapshots the full picture. That social media post is often more fake than reality.
Let’s choose not to live in a plastic world. Let’s live in contentment and make the world envious that we can be content with what we have because stuff is not the measuring tool for our contentment. This stuff is temporary anyway.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to live with contentment. Help me to value what is real not what is temporary.
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