Ever wondered why it seems difficult for a lot of people to be content? One can only imagine why someone will have so much, yet complain about what they have, or the little he or she does not have.
This points at the fact that there is a role that God plays in the life of anyone who is content. God cannot be taken out of the issue of contentment.
1 TIMOTHY 6:6-8 ( NIV)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.“
The human nature always wants more, yet as it acquires more, it does not automatically guarantee satisfaction, hence the reason for the desire for more , and more, and then more, and so much more.
Contentment is a valuable commodity, it is such that only God can give to a person. The natural man cannot help himself to be content, considering there is always going to be a desire for something more than that which is available at every given time.
It is quite interesting to know that Apostle Paul can be said to be an example of a content person. Despite all his sufferings for Christ, which ranges from beatings, to hunger, to imprisonment, and death threats at different times, he was still able to say this;
PHILIPPIANS 4:11 (NIV)
” 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.”
A lot of times, we just quote the concluding part where he says ” I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” To fully understand what he was saying however, there is a need to look at it from where he began and how it led to his ability to be able to do all things through Christ.
In all of the the limitations and challenges Paul was confronted with, there was a truth he never took his gaze away from, which is that ” Christ provides for me all that I need, at the time that I need it, no matter how hard it seems to have such things”
The ability to trust Christ for all our needs, is what ultimately helps us live a life of contentment. As long as we try to meet our needs ourselves, we will keep going in the circle of discontentment, which eventually leads to frustration.
No one is capable of meeting their own needs themselves, which is why we need the One who is able to meet all our needs, not minding how great or impossible they seem. Little wonder someone with a big houses, cars, lots of cash at hand or bank, is still unable to find contentment.
Knowing that Christ is able to supply all our needs ( not some) is what actually brings contentment, not the number of things a man has, or is able to acquire by his own strength or effort.
Author Profile
- Temitope is the founder of thesoulmeal.com, an online platform that she shares with her God-given spiritual family and friends. She is a speaker, teacher and youth counselor. She is passionate about inspiring people to find their identity in Christ. Catch her interviewing inspiring leaders on Tongue of the Learned Podcast
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