Unshackled Moments ~ March 14, 2018 ~ The Art Of Contentment

In Philippians 4:11 Paul informs us that by the time he wrote that letter to the church he had learned to be content. Not only had he found how to be content, but that contentment was possible in all situations, good and bad, even in need. This is awesome news, especially in our society where everything is telling us that we are, or should be, discontent, but that contentment is the prize.

Contentment is defined as satisfaction and happiness. But everything from advertising or entertainment says we shouldn't be content, but if we only get, find, achieve the next whatever we will find contentment. If we are told we can have contentment, it's temporary. That new phone will bring contentment, until the next version is released, at which time you really need to have it or you will be left behind. You need what everyone else has, or even something better. This sort of thing is always telling us to compare our situation and insides to others' outsides and our perceptions of what they have. It's crazy. I didn't even know I needed that until I saw someone else with it, but now I have to have it.

In recovery. we often express the belief that God wants us to be happy, joyous and free. And I have no doubt it is true. If you think about it, happy, joyous and free is like contentment with a bonus. Freely content. It is possible. But it's not found in the next new thing. It's not found in keeping up with others or looking outward at the lives, possessions, situations, etc. of others. And, it's not an automatic thing. Paul said that he learned it. So have I.

So what is the lesson? How do we learn the art of contentment? It is in relationship with our Creator. Getting close to Daddy and finding our joy and purpose and satisfaction in Him and in our relationship with Him protects us from the ups and downs of satisfaction in circumstance. Life can be great, and it can be difficult. Storms come. If we are dependent upon our situation for our contentment, we will struggle to find serenity. But when our satisfaction and hope is built on the foundation of relationship with Daddy, serenity finds us. It is a result of our inner space and not our outer circumstance. So no matter what comes, wonderful things or devastating situations, our core is safe and secure in the refuge of God's great love for us.

The art of contentment is the art of drawing near to Daddy and finding our love, peace, joy, freedom and satisfaction in that relationship and in the promise that what He has begun He will complete. Situations always change, but the eternal truth is that in Him we will find an end to suffering, sorrow, discontentment and pain, and will be transformed into a whole, perfect and unique reflection of Him.

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