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A Matter of Faith

Content in the new year: Part 2

Contentment is a matter of accepting from God’s hand what He sends because we know that He is a good God and wants to give good gifts to His children. All that is needful, He will supply.

Even pain and suffering that seemingly cannot be corrected, He can redeem.

If we fail to surrender, we will forever be discontent. Our freedom will be choked. We will be enslaved to our desires. Our relationships will be poisoned with jealousy and competition. Potential blessings will be sacrificed.

Discontentment has the potential to destroy our peace, rob us of joy, and make us miserable.

We dishonour God if we proclaim a Saviour - Jesus who satisfies to the utmost - and then live discontent. So what is the secret of contentment?

Those things we expect to bring contentment surprisingly do not.

We cannot depend on contentment to fall into our laps from education, money, or status, because contentment arises from a divine source that money and material possessions cannot purchase.

The secret of contentment is hidden from the casual observer. What is that secret? “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”

The cornerstone of contentment is the cross. We remember what Jesus has done for us on the cross.

Because of the cross, we are freed from the shackles of sin. Because of the cross, our salvation is secure. Because of the cross, our friendship with God is possible. Because of the cross, our future in heaven is guaranteed.

Isn’t that enough? What else really matters? The really big things are taken care of!

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” We need to surrender our timetable and future to him.

Discontentment is due to a wrong focus. If we focus on things and others, we will be discontent. But, if we focus on God, living each day in the light of His glory, the things of this earth will pale in comparison.
“I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” The term “content” in the context of this text means being at peace with Christ’s sufficiency.

When His powerful presence is consuming us, we can do all things.

Christ has not given us unlimited strength, but we can experience contentment because we are continual recipients of God’s grace.

Our human determination may help us to endure adversity and pain. Our emotional toughness will help us get through job losses and financial hardships.

But only Christ can generate a contented spirit within us, amidst all that is happening around us.

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