How do you define contentment? Do the family
relationships in your life need to meet a specific
set of criteria: a romantic husband; well-behaved
children; parents and in-laws who respect your
boundaries? As important as healthy family
relationships are and as hard as we work to
nurture them, they simply can’t replace the one
source of genuine and lasting contentment: a
growing relationship with God.
The Bible defines contentment much differently
from our society. These steps will guide you as you
search for contentment in your life and family.
BEGINNING A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Contentment
is defined as “a feeling of satisfaction with
one’s situation.” This satisfaction will elude people
who search for fulfillment without taking this first
key step—entering a relationship with God.
READ PROVERBS 19:23.
This verse does not promise a
Christian will never experience trouble, heartache or
disappointment, but rather that such troubles will
not rob her of the contentment she finds in God.
Think back to your salvation experience. Reflect on
the way your level of contentment changed.
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TAPPING INTO GOD’S STRENGTH
We can’t force ourselves to achieve contentment.
Everyday life, spiritual droughts or tragic
circumstances can overwhelm us, making it
impossible to “put on a happy face.” Instead, we must
rely on God’s strength to develop this virtue.
READ PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13.
List some ways a believer can
demonstrate faith in God’s love and provision, even
in difficult circumstances.
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ESTABLISHING GODLY PRIORITIES
Another step to cultivating contentment is aligning
our priorities with God’s priorities. If this doesn’t
happen, contentment will continually be out of
our grasp, despite how much we accomplish in the
world’s eyes.
READ 1 TIMOTHY 6:3-10.
This verse focuses on the
granddaddy of all ungodly goals: wealth. While it’s
not a sin to be wealthy, God condemns those “who
think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
Instead, He tells us what our priority should be:
“godliness with contentment.” Take a few moments to
nurture them, they simply can’t replace the one
source of genuine and lasting contentment: a
growing relationship with God.
The Bible defines
contentment much differently
from our society. These steps will guide you as you
search for contentment in your life and family.
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