Friday, May 11, 2007

What is Contentment?

Contentment is not a passive, punching bag mentality. It's a vigorous, strong, active, conscious choice to surrender my will to His will, His sovereignty, and His plan.

Paul says "I have learned to be content". I can say "I'm learning to be content". That is not a shameful thing.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I,too, am learning to be content. It is easier now than it has been in the past. As I focus on my blessings and all He has done for me and as I remember the good He has made out of bad situations, contentment comes easier. Trusting Him is a daily decision that comes easier every day. I am trusting Him for you. Praying for you to heal in all ways.
I will miss seeing you at the convention today. Remember, that you were not planning on being home today anyway so take it easy!

Debbie said...

Amen!

God is working on me so mightily right now in this area and I feel I am failing terribly. Intellectually I know I am being rebellious and disobedient in this area, but my heart can't quite get around how to be otherwise right now.

There are so many days when I am just not happy with how things are and feel like a toddler stamping my feet, crossing my arms and putting on a pout! How bad is that?!

Thankfully, God is faithful and he will keep working. If, like that toddler, I could just learn to surrender to God's will, life would be so much more peaceful for me.

I think learning to be content is one of the highest acheivements a Christian can earn. Contentment to me means to truly trust our God for all aspects of our life.

Stephanie said...

You said it! I'm learning (or more like doing the toddler kick and scream knowing that I need to be content but not sure of how to actually do it!) The surrender part is the hard thing. It's definitely something that I struggle with, and as soon as I get to the point where I think I might have a better handle (note - better, not perfect) something pops up to prove that I'm wrong. That's why I'm thankful for grace!!

Anonymous said...

Yes, yes, YES! I'm having a content moment, by choice, in Christ. It is so relaxing and even renews my energy.
Usually I to try and control my circumstances and spend my days in frustration because of it.
I'm very active and very content this moment and choose to carry it through my day w/Him!

Well written, De'Etta!

Anonymous said...

Well put!
I have been praying and working through this same issue....contentment.
Laura

Yvonne said...

I'm learning contentment too. There is definitely nothing shameful about it. It's been hard work for me, but I'm realizing that it's more about me receiving the contentment rather than making myself be content. KWIM? My nature screams in protest against contentment in certain circumstances, so I just think it must be another area of life where it's about, "More of Him, and less of me." Anyways, I'm glad I'm not alone.~Yvonne

Cynthia said...

Learning contement here as well.. it is certainly a process. I find that I'm more content in some areas now than I was in my younger days and less content about other things.. especially things for which I know I need to get better at...

Anonymous said...

Sis:

My special little girl who is quite a wise woman. Love you.

Contentment for me is the almost 45 years Dad/I have been married. Love is rather beautiful when you are really in the content stage of marriage. :)

Love the way God uses you etc.

l/p

l/p