According to research, guess what percentage of our happiness is based on circumstances.
A. 10%?
B. 25%?
C. 50%?
D. 80%?
The answer? Just 10%.
Now why would that be? My guess is, our perspective matters more than our circumstances.
(“Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want,
but the realization of how much you already have.”)
Ah, yes. Gratitude. Definitely an important attitude, contributing to the sweet, even-keel life of contentment. But it doesn’t come naturally to most of us.
Our thoughts, if left untended, can easily fall into a dark hole of:
- Self-centeredness. “Yeah, the budget’s tight, but I really need a new car. It’s downright embarrassing to drive around in our old clunker.”
- Self-pity. “It’s not fair that I’m not paid what I’m worth. I work so hard.
- Self-justification. “I deserve that new car.”
Note the focus on self. And half the time (or more) we don’t even realize how much of our thought life spins around in that dark hole.
How can we possibly climb out? Time and attention are required to develop a mind that frequently contemplates thanks-giving and praise instead of complaint-making and dissatisfaction.
Even the apostle Paul said he had to learn how to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:12). And like any new skill, developing contentment requires a bit of knowledge and a lot of practice.
The best place for knowledge on such a topic is scripture. Several passages can inform our understanding of contentment.
- King Solomon said, “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble” (Proverbs 19:23).
Not that reverencing God protects us from trouble and every day is glorious. Bad things still happen to good people. But those who reverence God and worship him see life from a different perspective. They can be content even when catastrophe strikes, knowing that God will see them through.
Think about Daniel in the lions’ den, or Peter and Paul in prison.
- Paul said he didn’t really care if he was living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12). How is that possible? He answers in the next verse, and it’s a familiar one: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Living in plenty–with God–taught Paul how to keep his priorities straight. Living in want–with God–taught Paul to detach himself from “things.”
- Paul told Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
When we think of a man with “great gain,” we imagine a person with a large, beautifully decorated home, designer suits, two or three cars (for his own use—family members have their own cars), and the capability to go on expensive vacations.
But what about the young Christian father who thanks God every day for his loving wife and two precious kids? Who enjoys a circle of fun, supportive friends at church that also help him keep his priorities straight? This guy lives in a two-bedroom ranch, drives a ten-year old car, and spends vacations taking day trips from home.
Yet he’s rich, too–maybe even more so. It’s just that his riches fall into a different category. He’s rich in relationships, especially with God. “True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth” (I Timothy 6:6, NLT).
Now that we’ve absorbed a bit of scriptural understanding, it’s time to practice what we’ve learned. How can we foster contentment in our spirits?
- Cultivate a positive, faith-filled perspective by turning “I wish” statements into “I praise” statements.
Paul was under house arrest in Rome when he wrote to the Christians at Philippi. His days as an adventuring missionary were most likely over; the future looked bleak. Once his trial took place before Nero, Paul knew he could be facing execution.
He might well have said, “I wish I could be back on the road again preaching the gospel. It makes no sense why God has let this happen. I wish he’d get me out of here!“
But Paul’s response was far removed from wishful thinking. He actually praised God that his circumstances were advancing the gospel (Philippians 1:12-18).
- Feed our confidence in God, not our comparisons to others. Contentment wells up in our spirits when our thoughts are grounded in scripture, praise, worship, and gratitude.
- Focus on the present—look for the blessings of right now. “We will become content as we enjoy each day for what it is rather than moan about what we imagine it could have been” – Bruce Goettsche.
An airline pilot was flying over a lake when he turned to his copilot and remarked, “See that little lake? I used to fish there a lot when I was a kid. Every time a plane would fly overhead I’d think, “Boy, I sure wish I was flying that plane. It must be so wonderful to soar through the sky and see for miles and miles. Now do you know what I’m thinking? How I wish I was down on that lake fishing!”
I don’t want to be like that pilot. I want to be like Paul.
(Art credits: www.covgrace.org; www,janellenichol.com; http://www.quoteimage.com; http://www.ponderingtheheartofjesus.com; www.i.mobypicture.com.)
From the Inside Out 
I really needed these words today. Over that last few years my life has been nearly flipped upside down. I know I am right where God wants be to be, but so much in my life has changed and not quite what I thought it would be. Learning so much about finding my peace in the Lord alone. Thank you and be blessed.
Praise God you found encouragement in these words today, Suzi. Sounds as if you’ve come a long way in your faith journey, as you’ve moved on from Plan A to Plan B. Looking to God to lead you into this new life-chapter is vital for growing that peace in the Lord you’ve found. Meanwhile, may you take courage from the fact that: “People who have heartaches and who, in the midst of those heartaches, cling to God and His Word will be those who are the most greatly used of God to impact their world” — Kay Arthur. Let me know how your journey continues to unfold, Suzi!
Great quotes and wonderful reminder. I read this quote today on another blog, http://christianauthorsnetwork.com/to-live-content/
from William Henry Channing:
“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy…to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to the stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual–unbidden and unconscious–grow up through the common.”
been chewing on its words all day today, then read your blog. Guess I better keep pondering contentment. God has lessons for me in that word… Thanks Nancy!
I write reminders, Jean, because I need reminders! Mr. Channing gives much to ponder in that quote–thank you for sharing.
Nancy, great blog. I say it simply “Thank you Jesus. I go through the alphabet sometimes when a day I need more Contenment . Thank you God for Adoration. Thank you God for your Blessings, Thank you God for your Care. Etc. Miss you
Thank you, Laura. What a great idea! Another worthy activity when doing housework, driving along a quiet road or at night when sleep won’t come. Love it! (And love you, too!)
Nancy, this is a very timely and heart-rendering message from which every one of us can profit. Thank you for reminding us that we do indeed have much for which to be thankful and we need to learn to “be content with what we have”. Love to you and Steve. Miss you.
Thank you, Ruth. You may have noticed my response to Jean, above. I write reminders because I need reminders! Thank you also for your love; we love you, too, Ruth.
This is so rich, Nancy. I’ve been pondering perspective a lot lately. I see so many discontented brothers and sisters. Grumbling and murmuring, comparing to others, and taking offense at the smallest of things…this should not be commonplace in the lives of Christ-followers! This gives me much to mull over as I work on my own post on this topic. (It’s still in my head, working its way out.). Blessings to you–I hope you enjoy a very contented weekend! 😄
Thank you, Rebeca. Perhaps you’re on to something with that closing. What if we ended conversations with, “May you have a lovely, contented rest-of-the day?” People are so used to hearing “good day” or “blessed day.” Maybe if we change it up a bit, folks’ perspective will be changed up a bit, too. I’ll look forward to reading your post, friend!
Nancy, you are so right! I was just talking to my daughter in law about this very thing re: my grandkids–her 5 children. Contentment takes a lot of practice and is definitely a state of the heart and mind….not our circumstances.
Good word here.
Thank you, Jody. Indeed the key word is PRACTICE!
Great post Nancy !! I don’t remember if I have told you about my personal testimony of backsliding somewhere with-in the 7 years+ of being graced with salvation, at the age of 54 (Praise God for His longsuffering in my life !!)…when I had some how taken back control from the Holy Spirit… It was a gradual process, but non the less, I found that my God given peace and my joy were gone… The Lord put the preaching of REV. C.H. Spurgeon from back in 1859 in front of me, and I got down on my knees and begged the Lord to take back control of my life again…
Praise the Lord for filling me again with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20), and from 6/04/2009 till now (Praise be to God !!), I am blessed with unbelievable peace and joy through any of life’s trials…
The power of the Holy Spirit must be experienced to be believed !! I urge anyone who has lost their peace and joy to read Spurgeon’s preaching at the link below… God used it to changed my life in an amazing way !!
Blessings in Christ, bruce
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0278.htm
Your story highlights several wonders about our God: 1. He never lets us go. 2. Our influence can live on long after we’re gone. How amazing to think that a 150-year old sermon would bring you to your knees! (Charles Spurgeon has been an inspiration to me, too.) 3. God is always ready–even eager– to apply his grace and forgiveness. Thank you so much, Bruce, for taking the time to share your testimony here.
I don’t know why this must be, but I believe I am one of the 10%! The year 2014 was a year for revisiting a truth I learned long ago. There is a difference between ‘happiness’ and ‘joy’. Happiness is dependent upon circumstances and things, and therefore, temporary. JOY comes from deep within our hearts from the Holy Spirit. The Joy of Eternal Life, the Joy of God’s Faithfulness to me, the Joy that the Power of the Lord is at my disposal. And it is having an attitude of contentment from which JOY comes and that JOY is radiated outwards from me into the world. Great posting!
I know why you’re one of the 10%: “Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart” (Psalm 97:11). That’s you, my friend! (P.S. Did you recently receive an email from me? Hopefully I sent it correctly.)
I did receive your email. Will get back to you soon, dear friend!
[…] 2) Contentment – When I struggle with discontent, it’s because my focus has shifted such that all I have is distorted by what I think I want. Megan Burns, a counselor friend of mine, writes: “The ‘more’ that we hunger for won’t be satisfied by anything in this world. Our desires are met in God, and in Him we have all that we need… we lack nothing. Our joy and our worth are not defined by our situation or our accomplishments. In the Lord’s presence is fullness of joy… and that’s something that doesn’t change or fade; He is with us, and He is always good and faithful.” Megan points us to God who is writing his story in our lives. When we give into discontent, it’s like we want to erase the story he is writing. May it never be so. Read more here. Photo Credit: Nancy Ruegg […]
I am honored you consider this post worth sharing with your readers, Deb. Praise God for his inspiration!