According to Wikipedia: Contentment is a state of being in which one is satisfied with their current life situation, and the state of affairs in one’s life as they presently are. If one is content, they are at inner peace with their situation and how the elements in one’s life are situated. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be content with one’s life regardless of the circumstance, regardless of whether things are going as one expected or not.
According to “Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (Copyright 1959): adj. 1) Having the desires limited to that which one has; satisfied. 2) Assenting; agreeing. To make content; to appease the desires of. Syn. “See Satisfied.” – n. 1) State of being content; contentment.
Exodus 2:21 (NKJV): Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.
The Hebrew root word here for “content,” as summarized by Brown-Driver-Briggs: “shew willingness to do anything, accept an invitation, acquiesce,”…
Philippians 4:11-13 (BSB): I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation— to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.…
“Helps Word Studies,” Bible Hub, Greek
842 /autárkēs (“sufficiency within”) occurs only in Phil 4:11 where it refers to positive self-sufficiency (inward adequacy) – i.e. that comes through the indwelling power of Christ.
Recently, I walked through a season of interpersonal challenges that – as a consequence of my internal choices – resulted in what I may best describe as a recurrent internal state of tension.
With these encounters, I would internally process, pray for guidance, and look for ways to self correct my responses. Life would ebb and flow . . . I would gage that “things are improving,” then would experience what I defined as “set backs.”
I reached an internal emotional space of weariness / exhaustion.
“Lord, if there is anything in me that is causing me to miss the mark, please show me.”
When I brought the most recent encounter to Him, asking this question, in the back of my mind I heard this thought …. “Bitterness.”
I sat with this, then responded to Him by thanking Him for showing me. I asked for forgiveness; and followed this exchange with forgiving myself. I then repented, asking Him to create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit. I asked Him to wash my mind so that I could begin thinking differently (this is repentance).
I looked up and studied scriptures with the word bitterness in them, for several days. Then, one evening I heard another thought in the back of my mind, “What is the opposite of bitterness?”
Holy Spirit transitioned me away from the sin, which was dealt with, to the Kingdom of Heaven, born again, new creation, spirit filled choice before me.
I typed into Google, “What is the opposite of bitterness,” and read the following:
“The opposites of being bitter include words describing a pleasant state or feeling, such as sweet, happy, joyful, content, pleased, forgiving, kind, and cordial.
For the emotional state of “bitterness” (anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly):
Happy, joyful, pleased, content, delighted, grateful .
Forgiving, understanding, compassionate, merciful .
Cordial, friendly, warm, genial .
Uplifted, inspired, hopeful .”
As I read through this list, Holy Spirit highlighted “content.” So I began studying the word “content,”. . . . which led me to the secular and scriptural definitions of content and contentment that I shared, above.
As I have set with / pondered / processed this,, I believe that contentment is a living, active process influenced (either favorably or adversarily) by our internal responses to any personal encounter, circumstance, or season of life. Once again, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ brings me back to the privilege and power of choice.
In Philippians 4:11, Paul writes that he has learned to be content, regardless of his circumstances.
Google defines learning, as follows:
“Learning is the multifaceted process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, behaviors, or attitudes through experience, study, or teaching, resulting in a lasting, often permanent, change in behavior or understanding.”
“Helps Word Studies,” Bible Hub, Greek (for ‘have learned,’ Phil 4:11)
3129 manthánō (akin to 3101 /mathētḗs, “a disciple”) – properly, learning key facts; gaining “fact-knowledge as someone learns from experience, often with the implication of reflection – ‘come to realize’ ”
Our lens is the filter through which we develop our beliefs. Our belief system is the scaffolding through which our mindset is structured. Mindset provides the seed bed from which attitudes are nurtured and grown. Attitudes are the launching pad for our responses / behaviors. Behaviors are the fruit of one’s life; the visible representation of one’s internal spiritual ecosystem.
“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness.” (Luke 11:34, BSB)
Lord God, “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” (Psalm 119:18, NLT)
I am learning to be content. My heart yearns to live in contentment. Even Wikipedia says this is possible, regardless of my circumstances.
I presently am in process / on a journey of being not conformed to the world; but being transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:1-2). I choose to have a teachable heart (Proverbs 15:5). I am learning to walk in the rest available to me, in Christ (Hebrews 4:9-11). I am actively, intentionally choosing that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
I believe I have a Good Father who is always working for my benefit. That He works in/through me; and that – as my loving Father – He disciplines those He loves. (Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 12:6).
I am “taking off” the old self and “putting on” the new self (Ephesians 4:22-24), and working out the salvation of my soul (Phillipians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:8-9).
And, I am confident in Jesus’ faithfulness to me; that He will complete the good work that He has begun within me (Philippians 1:6).
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, BSB)
I love you, Jesus. I want You, above all else. You are enough.
