The Secret of Contentment

“You may be walking through a difficult time, but learned contentment can override your circumstances.”

Have you ever thought, If I could just get a new house or a bigger paycheck, I would be happy? But after you acquired those things, you found yourself wanting more. King Solomon should have been content. After all, he was incredibly wise, famous, and wealthy. In fact, one researcher estimated Solomon’s peak net worth at approximately $2.1 trillion (by today’s measure). But in the opening of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher (who most likely was Solomon) declares: “Meaningless! Meaningless!...Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Eccl. 1:2). “All things are wearisome...The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing” (v. 8).

What Solomon expresses so well is that feeling of discontent, of never being satisfied. Contentment, on the other hand, is an inner sense of rest and peace that comes from being right with God. It is knowing that God is in control no matter what happens. In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul spoke about the secret of contentment. This is what we can gain from Paul:

1) Contentment is an attitude you can learn. At some point, Paul probably did not have contentment. Notice that he said, “I have learned the secret of being content” (v. 12). Contentment is practiced, one circumstance at a time.

2) Contentment is not dependent on circumstances. As Paul said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty” (v. 12). You may be walking through a difficult time, but learned contentment can override your circumstances.

3) Contentment can only be sustained through spiritual battle. The secret is, as Paul points out: “I can do all this through [Christ] who gives me strength” (v. 13). God is in control, and it can give you inner peace despite your circumstances.

How can we learn contentment? First, make it a practice to thank God every day (Eph. 5:20). Second, refuse to compare yourself to others. You will never really know what is going on in people’s lives behind the smile. Third, when you start to long for something you don’t have, say: “That won’t make me more content.” Learn to say: “Lord, you are more than enough.” When we live for ourselves, we will struggle with discontentment. But when we put God first, we find peace.