Be Content

“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.” Philippians 4:12

Comparison is the number one killer of contentment.

With the prevalence of filter-perfected, make-believe lives portrayed on social media, comparison is easier than ever. There are two types of comparisons that lead to a lack of contentment—a comparison to other people and a comparison to the life you thought you would have at this time in your life. Both are dangerous.

Businesses thrive on discontented people. They advertise the perfect family in a $60,000 car; laughing, happy children on the vacation of a lifetime; and an expensively dressed woman turning heads on a city street. They speak the same message: If you only had this, you would be happy. Most fall prey to these messages and jump in to the deep end of debt in search of contentment only to be drowning in bills they cannot pay. We live in a nation of rich poor people.

Searching for happiness through belongings will always end in disappointment. In 1 Timothy 6:6-8 it says, “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” If you have food, be thankful. If you have clothing, be thankful. If you have shelter, be thankful. One key to contentment is gratitude. Thank the Lord for everything. Start now. List your blessings, and be thankful. Speak them out loud; tell others of God’s provisions. Live a lifestyle of gratitude.

Another key to contentment is giving. Find ways to give to those less fortunate. Take from your means to bless someone else. Considering the misfortune of others also positions your own life in the proper perspective. You are living a blessed life. If your family went to bed full, you are blessed. If you have heat during winter, you are blessed. If you have someone who loves you, you are blessed. If you have health in your body, you are blessed. If you get up for a new day, you are blessed. There are many without these blessings. When you are the giver, you realize that you have more than you need. Giving leads to contentment.

Think about it.

Make a list of your blessings. Do you have enough to provide for you and your family? That is a blessing. Are you healthy? Put that on your list. Do you have friends and family? That is certainly worthy of your list. List all of your blessings, and consider what your life would be like without some of these. Put life in perspective.

Read about it.

Read what God’s Word has to say about contentment in 2 Corinthians 12:10, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy 6:10, and Philippians 4: 12-13. Also read the dangers of covetousness in Luke 12:15, Proverbs 15:16, and Ephesians 5:5. Pay special attention to Matthew 6:19-21.

Pray about it.

Dear Lord, please forgive me for coveting what others have when I know full well that you have provided everything I need. I am blessed because of your goodness. Help me to find contentment in any situation. Lord, please bless those who are truly in need, and lead me to a place where I can help others. In Jesus name.