The Secret of Contentment
Can you think back to a time when you were content and feeling on top of the world as a child?
I remember the times my friends and I would lay in my front yard in Denver in the summer with the cool grass all around us and stare at the clouds. It seemed like we would stay there for hours, looking for animals and other shapes in the clouds.
I also remember trying to make an ice-skating rink in my backyard. Right after we had a deep snow in the winter, I would put on my snow boots and gloves and pour water onto the snow and smooth the snow out in a thin layer with my feet and leave it to freeze overnight. I would be disappointed in the morning to find that my ice was way too bumpy to skate on. I did this several times trying to get it just right. I never did, but I sure remember the fun I had and peace and joy I felt just trying to create my skating rink.
When I was young, my world was safe, I felt loved, and I had little stress or worries and lived in the moment.
In this day and age, the feeling of contentment and being on top of the world can be hard to achieve. Our world is stressful and crazy with things constantly changing. So many important things are out of our control and the future seems scary. It’s so easy to get caught up in worrying about the future. Not too many people seem content with their lives. If you find someone who is content you might wonder if they have a screw loose!
But amid all this craziness, anxiety, and uncertainty it is still possible to find contentment. It doesn’t cost anything, take a lot of time to achieve and is not meant for only certain people. We can all find it.
Paul talked about contentment in Philippians 4, 11-13, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can to all this through him who gives me strength.”
When I was a child, I was in the moment, connected to friends and family, knew God loved me, didn’t worry because I knew my needs were taken care of and I was grateful. That was decades ago. As an adult, I moved out of that contented state and into a stress and worry filled, discontented state. However, as I grow and change emotionally and spiritually, gaining wisdom, I am finding that contented state again.
Contentment doesn’t come from reaching our goals, having great success financially or in your work, that dream house or vacation or having the body you hoped for. It’s quite simple.
Contentment comes from:
Connecting with God, family, and friends.
Being in the moment.
Having a positive perspective on things.
Decreasing stress in your life.
Being thankful for what you have.
Knowing you are uniquely created and loved by God and that he has your back.
Connect with God daily by prayer and reading his word. And create time to connect with others. We were not meant to go it alone. We were designed to need God and each other. Being a lone wolf thinking you don’t need or have time for relationships is a scarry place to be. God designed us to be in community and focused on him.
Be in the moment. We are so focused on the future; we seldom just enjoy the moment. Anxiety is caused by fear and trying to be in control. If you try worrying and being focused on the present at the same time, you’ll discover it doesn’t work. So, appreciate what you have, where you are and who you are with.
Think positive. Our brains are amazing, and we get to decide what we think. If you are constantly worried and have a negative outlook, your brain releases stress hormones that flood your body and do physical damage in vulnerable areas. Those stress hormones were only designed to be released in fight or flight situations. Constant stress can be dangerous. On the other hand, when your think positive, are grateful, relaxed and limit worry, your brain releases feel good hormones which help bring peace, contentment, and health. Paul said, “whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
Find ways to relax. Take care of yourself. Be transparent and share your feelings with others. Be grateful for what you have. When you are so focused on what you don’t have you lose the joy of being grateful. Just ask anyone who has limited time to live or on their death bed. They will tell you they wish they had appreciated who and what was in their life more.
Trust God. Appreciate who he made you to be and where he’s put you in your life. He has a plan and a purpose for you. We are all uniquely designed by God, and no one can fill your spot or do what God has designed you to do.
Contentment is available, even if you’ve never felt it. I encourage you to experiment with these simple steps and see the difference in how you think and feel.