CONTENTMENT IN A DISCONTENTED WORLD

In Philippians chapter four, verses eleven and twelve, the Apostle Paul gives us the challenge for contentment in a discontented world. We need to be reminded that we can never live well until we learn the secret of contentment. A real contented person is one who has peace in their heart and mind; one who is organized and happy within. The word contentment comes from two little words, “Con” and “tinere” meaning to hold together. So a contented person is one who is held together on the inside..

The Apostle Paul really had a life of trouble, trials and hardship, so we should pay close attention to what he has to say about contentment. He teaches us that contentment is the ability to face all types of difficulties without letting them overcome us. Let me suggest three things that will help us to live with a spirit of contentment even though we may be living in a world of discontentment.

1. Never let yourself become contented with yourself as you are, with the life you are living and with your accomplishments. The moment you become contented with yourself that is the moment you cease to grow. When you cease to grow you start the dying process. The people who are discontented, yet with a controlled content undergirding it, are the ones that really make things happen. Get peace in your heart, but be discontented with the way things are around you and with the part you are playing or failing to play. If enough people with peace in their hearts, but with a holy discontentment about the evils of the day, would consecrate themselves to fight against them, they would be destroyed.
2. Maintain a deep inner contentment in the depths of the soul. We must be at peace with God in our soul. Our mind, emotions and will must be cleansed by the power of the Holy Spirit. It really is a fact, cleanness of soul brings full contentment. It is impossible to be a contented person when we are living with condemnation in our life. Paul said in verse one of Romans chapter eight, that "there is condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."
3. Be able to take things as they come your way. Do the very best you can about everything. Leave no stone unturned. Be alert with God’s Word. Be aggressive in your faith. We all experience frustration from time to time, but it can be overcome with a spirit of serenity. If you get bad results, don’t let it defeat you. Perseverance is the Key! I have them framed on my office wall to challenge me from time to time.

PRESS ON
Nothing in the world
Can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not;
Nothing is more common than unsuccessful
Men with talent.
Genius will not;
Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not;
The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent

Charles Kirby