Contentment

What does it mean to BE content?
Phil 4:11 -12
 Not that I am speaking of being in need , for I have learned that in whatever situation I am to be content. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger , abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I read this and I notice something...as God often does. I have learned. I have learned to be content and satisfied. Which makes me think that perhaps as a fallen people,  filled with sin, being satisfied and content is not a natural state of being. They are rather a gift that needs to be LEARNED. Contentment is not something that just happens. It isnt something that you wake up to and it remains...No second guessing. I do think that it is something that needs to be worked towards, making conscious choices towards contentment rather then constantly chasing a state of bliss that none of us were promised.  We need to realize that contentment and satisfaction cannot be obtained outside of Gods grace and forgiveness. It is only through Him that these things can be found.  Paul said for I have LEARNED in whatever situation I am to be content. I have LEARNED the secret of facing plenty and hunger , abundance and need. I have LEARNED. He also concludes however that "I can do all things through Him who strengthens".  Being content in all things regardless of the situation God has placed you in at this given time, you will need strength, but you too can learn to be there. To be content and present in this moment. This one. Regardless of what that looks like.  WIth the grace of God, Him who gives us strength, all things can be accomplished.
Paul says in EVERY situation. Every , not some , not maybe , not perhaps....EVERY. Not just whens things look bright and comfortable, but also in gloom, sadness, stress and pain. I would argue that it is in the harder times, that you see seek contentment in a bigger way. It is on those times that you will learn the most when you step off the comfort step and into real healing. There are NO situations that warrant us not trying to be in the moment. There are no things that warrant our distress really...truly....In all things , in every situation, show contentment.  Its very easy for most to show pleasure and contentment , to be pleasure and contentment in times of quiet, but what about in the eye of your storm. What about then?
I say most, because there are some people that even when times are great, they cannot see anything but what they are lacking. When we do this , we are not only doing ourselves a disservice, but we are falling out of line with where God can take us. We are putting boundaries up around Gods grace and are unable to fully see and realise all the blessings that God has in store for us.  Some of us at one time or another in our lives, even when things are going really well , we are constantly seeking. Trying to find the next things that will "make me happy".  I dare so though friends, that nothing outside God will do this for you. We will never find contentment and happiness outside of our Holy Father.
" Keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you so we can confidently say . The Lord is my helper , I will not fear, what can man do to me " Hebrews 13:5 .  If we think about what the basics of contentment truly are, one word that pops into my head is trust. Its about trusting that our Lord , our God, our Father will get us through. No matter where we are or what we have been through, He will get us through.  Whereever you are in your life at this given moment, remember God put you there. You were gifted this moment and he walked you to it. Why in the world would he not want to walk you not only to it, but THROUGH it?
As God has put here, he can also take you out. As sure as you are present,  you can be taken away.  If you believe and trust in God, a God of love and grace, trust and forgiveness, how then can you not be content?  How can you trust and at the same time be discontent with where God has put you, because really wherever you are right now, doing whatever it is your doing is a gift. The very essence of your breath and your eyes being open is a gift.  Be content .
Proverbs 3:5 says" Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." Just be in the moment and trust Him, seek understanding of HIs word in reference to where he wants you today , not where he wants your neighbour or even your spouse..you...and then accept it for what it is and what it looks like to you  as a gift, giving gratitude for it with prayer and thanksgiving.  Feel blessed for the moment you have for however long you have it.  Regardless of the circumstance, it came from God.  If right now, its a moment of gloom for you and finding thanks is hard. Being filled with contentment feels useless, then in that moment till you can see the gift of sorrow, be thankful that you do not walk alone. Be content in knowing that this walk, even in pain , is one that is not walked alone.

Heavenly Father I thank you ...I thank you for all gifts, the big ones , the small ones, the joy , the pain. I thank you for them all. I pray Lord that you let my eyes see, that you open them to contentment.  Please let my heart be filled with the joy of contentment regardless of circumstance. Help me to learn Father God to be present , in this moment and to feel whatever needs to be felt . Let me see joy in the tears, and replace misgiving with gratitude. Great Father, the true I am , I pray for all people to see you with eyes wide open and with every new breath taken, to be thankful for ever just that breath. You are a God of trust and forgiveness. You are a God of acceptance. You take us as we are. Let us please take you as you are and where you have placed us in this breath. In your name we pray. Amen.