​3 Things We Must Believe to Learn to Be Content

Philippians 4:11 says, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

One day our son came home from his friend’s house and announced his need for a Play Station 2. The announcement soon became a plea, “If I get it I won’t ever ask for anything else, ever!” Needless to say it wasn’t the last thing he asked for. ​

Unfortunately, you and I present our wants to God in a very similar way.

• If only I had enough money to make me comfortable, I wouldn’t ask for more.
• If I were married, I’d be happy.
• If I had good health, I wouldn’t complain.
• If she was nice, I wouldn’t be so mean. 

​The dictionary defines contentment as “being satisfied” or “not needing more.” 

Contentment is not achieved in our lives by making resolutions or just by deciding in our minds that we are going to be content. Contentment is a state of the heart, and it doesn’t fluctuate with circumstances or people.
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Life can be hard. People can be difficult. How can we cope with disappointments and hardships? In Philippians 4:11, written by Paul, it says he “learned” to be content. Contentment is not a natural response it is a supernatural response. So what do we need to learn to have contentment?

In order to be content we must have a foundation of faith to believe:

• ​God’s Word It is true, and we must trust it.
• God’s character He is who He says He is as revealed in the Old and New Testaments.
• God’s sovereignty We are part of the bigger plan of God.

None of the twists and turns in the chapters of our lives is a surprise to God. He is in control and we can trust Him to be who He says He is.

Look to The Names of God

Doing a study of the names of God is a good way to learn of His character. For me, this study was a life-changer. It made God more personal as well as revealing His multi-faceted character traits. Learning the truths about our loving God allows us to be content with His plans as He unfolds the stories of our lives.

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Lord, I Want to Know You: A Devotional Study on the Names of God by Kay Arthur

"Enjoy the expanded and updated editions of the best-selling "Lord" Bible Study Series from Kay Arthur. The "Lord" study series is an insightful, warm-hearted Bible study series designed to meet readers where they are—and help them discover God's answers to their deepest needs.

So much of our confusion and pain results because we don't know God—who He really is, how He works in our lives.

But with Lord, I Want to Know You, that will all change. When you know God more fully by studying His names—Creator, Healer, Protector, Provider, and many others—you'll gain power to stand strong. You'll find strength for times of trial, comfort for pain, provision for your soul's deepest needs. And your walk with God will be transformed.

Let Kay Arthur guide you through the Scriptures in this deeply insightful study. Your daily time with God in His Word will introduce you to the limitless treasure available to you as His child. And these are truths you can share easily with others, individually or in small groups." —goodreads

None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That's a Good Thing) by Jen Wilkin

"God is:

• self-existent
• self-sufficient
• eternal
• immutable
• omnipresent
• omniscient
• omnipotent
• sovereign
• infinite and
• incomprehensible.

We're not. And that's a good thing.
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Our limitations are by design. We were never meant to be God. But at the root of every sin is our rebellious desire to possess attributes that belong to God alone. Calling us to embrace our limits as a means of glorifying God's limitless power, Jen Wilkin invites us to celebrate the freedom that comes when we rest in letting God be God." --goodreads

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Many of us know Romans 8:28,

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” 

We want to believe this when we are struggling, but we fail to read the next verse that states “His purpose.” Verse 29 goes on to say,

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” 

God brings adversity and difficult people into our lives to make us like Jesus. Accepting this truth helps us to be content as we are being conformed to the image of Christ.

Contentment is more a change of our heart attitude than a change of our circumstances.  When we complain, live in the past, live in the future, desire different circumstances or compare ourselves to others, we become discontent and unhappy. But when we focus on God’s goodness as we live in the present, our attitude will be bent toward contentment by God’s grace.

Asking God to teach us how to be content

We should ask God to teach us how to be content. We must then actively participate in the process by studying God’s Word and believing the truth in it, especially the truths about God Himself. He is the Author of our life story, and if we are a Christian we already know there is a “happily ever after” ending!

So, if you are failing in the contentment department today friend (like I do so many days), are you failing to believe God's Word, His character, or His sovereignty? What are your roadblocks to contentment?