Drink from The Well

What do you think of when you hear the word contentment? Depending on where you are in your life, it might land differently for you. A simple definition of contentment is, “a state of happiness or satisfaction,” and it often means feeling that way regardless of one’s circumstance. In scripture, this is the definition Paul uses to describe himself while in prison. It’s amazing to hear someone who suffered being beaten, stoned, and in constant danger for the sake of the gospel (2 Cor. 11:23-28) say he is content. Do you think he mustered this up on his own? I doubt it. In his suffering, he also went without the comforts of life more than most people could ever imagine. Yet he knew the secret of contentment: “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” (Phil. 4:11-13). He had to learn how to be content, and this is true for us too. The Bible has a lot to say about contentment— being satisfied with what we have, who we are, what we go through, and where we’re going.

Dis-(contentment)

I have had the privilege to travel around the world, and encounter different people and cultures. There is one thing I have noticed to be true from my experience. Namely, those who have the least amount of material “blessings” always seem to be the most content people I come across. If you’ve ever been on a mission trip to places of few financial and economic privileges, you may know what I am referring to. As homework, feel free to confirm with someone in your life or church who may have had a similar experience on a mission trip. But when we think about it, I guess it makes sense if we believe what Jesus said about possessions (Lk. 12:15). Some of the happiest and most joyful people I know don’t live in the United States (sorry America, it’s just the truth). I say this with sincerity and as a participant: We who live in the “land of excess” seem to always find something to gripe about. We are blind to the truth that the love of material things or money itself is a barrier to contentment. On the contrary, I’ve met some really grateful people in severe poverty all over the world (Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and even some parts of the United States). The common denominator for all these people was that they were full of faith and joy, which teaches me that material gain does not equate to contentment.

Many times, our discontentment stems from the comparison of ourselves to others. You may have heard it said that comparison is the thief of joy – it’s true! Whatever the category, you name it, we tend to do this. There are two examples of Jesus speaking to this issue that immediately come to mind. The first can be found in The Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30), where we are all responsible to be faithful, no matter how big or small, with what we have been given. We are to be faithful with what we have, not what we don’t have. The second is when Jesus appears to his disciples on the beach after his resurrection. As Jesus walks with Peter and tells him what he is to expect in the days ahead, Peter’s response is like us sometimes. Instead of accepting his assignment and focusing on the task at hand, he gets distracted by John, who was following behind them. He asks Jesus, “What about him?”. Essentially, Jesus responds by redirecting his attention to his own purpose and not his friend’s (see full account here Jn. 21).

Many people struggle to be content. Contentment does not mean we cannot desire something or wish for a change in our life circumstances, but it means that we have learned to be satisfied with what we have in the present. The Bible teaches that Christ is the only true source of contentment; any other version of contentment will disappoint us. Human nature generally bends toward discontentment, but the Bible teaches us that we are to be content with what we have (Heb. 13:5). Scripture also encourages us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:4-7).

True contentment

True contentment comes from enjoying God’s simple gifts—like work, food, and relationships—rather than striving after wealth or success, which ultimately leads to emptiness (Eccl. 2:24-25, 5:10-11). We learn from God’s word that contentment is satisfaction with who we are, what we have, and our condition in life. So, in what areas of your life do you struggle to feel content, and how can recognizing God’s provision help shift your perspective? When we recognize what God has provided for us and are grateful, we find contentment. We come to appreciate his provision and find our true satisfaction in him. Jesus even said in the gospels that if God cares for the birds, how much more would he care for us – those of much more value (Matt. 6:26-27, Lk. 12:24-32). He said this to assure us that he promises to provide everything we will ever need. He says elsewhere, to “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). I think in our world today, we must pay close attention to the distinction between “needs” and “wants.” We can live without wants (preferences, comforts), but we cannot live without needs (food, water, clothing). What is one thing we can do to help us focus more on God’s promises rather than focusing on what you do not have? We can find truth, hope and comfort in reading God’s word – the Bible. In it we can find that God’s word is reliable, and that we can trust him. His word will satisfy us spiritually more than any temporary physical satisfaction we can get (Ps. 19:7-11). Theologian Isaac Ambrose once said, “Reading the holy Scriptures is nothing else but a kind of holy conference with God, where we inquire after, and He reveals to us Himself and His will.” Trusting in God’s promises frees us from materialism, allowing us to be at peace with what we have rather than what we do not have. This helps us to fight the comparison trap, which leads to discontentment. 

True contentment comes from Christ, who strengthens us to face any circumstance (Phil. 4:11-13). When we come to understand Paul’s secret of contentment, it informs our own experiences of abundance and need – leading us to rely on Christ, through whom we are able to endure all things. Ultimately, our confidence in God’s presence and provision impacts our ability to find peace and contentment in all our circumstances, especially the difficult ones. As we grow in contentment, our definition of success changes. We become encouraged when we trust in God’s timing and purpose, recognizing that He has set everything in place in its season (Eccl. 3:1, 14). To worry means we do not trust God. The key to overcoming our discontented hearts and lack of faith is to find out who God really is and how He has been faithful to supply the needs of His people in the past. Such study will grow our confidence and trust for the future (Phil. 4:19).

Finally, contentment begins when we stop measuring our satisfaction by what we want and start recognizing what God has already provided. Instead of letting our unmet desires drive our emotions, we can pause and ask, “Are my needs met today?” If the answer is yes, then we have a reason to be content, trusting that God is providing what we truly need. Even in seasons of perceived lack, we can rest in the assurance that God’s care for us far exceeds His care for the birds and flowers— He knows our needs and promises to sustain us (Matt. 6:25-34). When we cast our anxieties on Him and trust His provision, we are free to experience contentment that goes beyond circumstances (1 Pet. 5:7). We can trust God when he says NOTHING can separate us from his love (Rom. 8:31-39). Because in the end, he works all things together for those who love him (Rom. 8:28). My friends, true contentment isn’t about having everything we desire but about trusting that God is faithfully taking care of us each day. Besides, he already knows what we need before we even ask (Matt. 6:8). So, rest assured and be content, that the sovereign God of the universe holds you in his hands. May we come to the place in our lives where, out of immense gratitude, we can say to the Lord, “All I have needed your hand has provided. Great is your faithfulness to me.” Amen!