How to Find Contentment in This Life

Contentment means freedom from agitation and anxieties; having our desires limited to the things that we have; being satisfied with food that God gives us. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5.

The horse that does not worry will endure much more hard work than the fiery steed. The ox that contently chews its cud as he bears the yoke will do more and better work than the one that frets. So it is with the people of God; some endure, others not, some work, others not.

The one that calmly trusts his Lord in adversity as well as in prosperity will find himself making progress in the Master’s work. There is no reason why we cannot trust God, because He has given us nothing but good all the days of our life. We are to count our blessings.

Yes, even those who seem to be against us work for the good as in the case of Jacob when he thought himself to be bereft of his children. The promise always holds true, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” Rom. 8:28. Do you love God? Then claim the promise! Submit all to Him, knowing that He does not err-Sometimes it is necessary to turn our eyes away from the things that are seen, which are temporary to the things of God, which are eternal. The Lord is preparing us for the, “Eternal weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17. Therefore let Him work in us, “To will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:13.

The apostle Paul seems to have had as much sufferings as any of God’s servants, yet he says, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Phil. 4:11.

Apostle Paul and Silas, lacerated with 40 stripes save one, laying upon their bleeding backs, with their feet elevated and fastened to the stocks still praised God.

But the physical suffering is not always the hardest to endure. No doubt Paul’s perils around the false brethren caused greater anguish to him than the stoning by the open enemies. But even this he accepted without complaint by the grace of God. By these trials the child of God is made Christlike.

Job, a perfect, upright man endured the extreme of the sufferings, the same which the enemy wants to bring upon the children of God. Yet Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15. Passing out of the crucible of fire, he found himself in a sacred nearness to God. He said, “Now mine eyes seeth Thee.” Job 42:5.

Thank God that we can also follow in the footsteps of the Lord, and be made perfectthrough sufferings.”Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim. 6:6 Then how to find contentment in this life? In order to be happy in this life, we must strive to attain the character of Christ.

One of the outstanding characteristics of Christ was His self-denial and His benevolence. He did not seek His own, but went about doing good and this was His meat and drink.

So we also, by following His example, can be in holy communion with Him and by daily seeking to imitate His character we shall be a blessing to the world and have contentment now and an eternal reward hereafter. (TM 227).
AMEN

John Theodorou
Greece/USA