One major art I have learnt over the years is the art of contentment. Being happy and satisfied with what I have, who I am and where I am at each stage of my life.
And this is largely credited to my late mum who in her own ways taught me and my siblings contentment.
I do not have all I need, want or desire neither am I where I want to or dream of being but I am deeply appreciative of where I am and all I have right now while I work towards the actualization of my desired goals and dreams.
In life, you either have more or less than some others. However much you have, there are people who have much more than you and no matter how little you have, there are still people who have much less than you do.
Contentment is being satisfied and at peace with one's present circumstance but not being complacent. Some people mistake complacency for contentment.
Complacency on the other hand is showing no signs of improvement. No dreams nor goals to pursue just existing in life and not living. It is being adapted to one's circumstance with no desire to grow or improve.
Being contented with life does not mean you settle where you are, for less or that you shouldn't aim higher in life but that you are grateful to God for where you are now while you trust Him to take you to the next phase of life.
Contentment is not being or looking beggarly but feeling enriched and satisfied with what you have and where you are at the moment.
Contentment is not that you are oblivious of your circumstance but about not being controlled by the prevailing circumstance.
Being contented is an art that everyone needs to learn. It is not just learned but needs to be cultivated with discipline, training and practice.
The worries of life can breed discontentment in our lives if we are not careful. Discontentment makes you compare yourself with your peers and then breeds questions like why am I still in this job after so many years while my mates have moved up the lader?
Why am I not married yet despite my age? Why haven't I built my own house yet? Why don't I own my own car yet when my mates have more than one ride?
While you ask yourself these questions, did you know that there are so many people who wish to be where you are at the moment, do what you are doing and have what you have? Did you know you are someone else's prayer point?
You see, in life, you can't get all you want or desire at a time. Some you get as time goes on and some you don't ever get in life.
So, don't get too devastated when things don't go as planned but rather learn the art of contentment of where you are, who you are and what you have.
It has been proven over time that contentment is one major ingredient that leads to a long life span. Not just living long but living a healthy long life.
The lack of contentment comes with wanting to have what your friends have or live the kind of life they live.
With discontentment comes dissatisfaction, envy, jealousy, resentment, despair, depression, discouragement, self pity, bitterness and hatred towards the advancement of others.
But with contentment you have peace of mind, godliness, joy, a calm spirit, happiness and even success. No wander the Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:6 that "But godliness with contentment is great gain."
You see, a heart that is full of contentment will hardly be envious of others. It is not materialistic or base success on materialistic things.
In the quest for happiness, people tend to chase other people, money and other material things before they feel contented or satisfied with life.
But they fail to realize that these things will not always be there and the people in our lives won't always be there as well.
What happens to your joy, peace of mind, happiness and ultimately your life when they are all gone? Will you pause your life or get stuck in a place?
Wealth is not found in the amount of money we have nor the lots of material things we possess neither is happiness found in people but in the art of contentment irrespective of what we have and where we are.
Having inner peace, satisfied with what you have as well as being a blessing to others is what success and wealth is all about.
There will always be a constant striving more. Our wants and needs can never end as long as we are still alive and breathing fine.
While we may always need more, the most important thing is being happy and contented with what we have and where we are.
HOW WE LEARN THE ART OF CONTENTMENT.
1. HAVE A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE : Irrespective of what you are going through, weather you have all you need or not, learn to have a positive view on perceived problems.
Instead of focusing on the problem, learn to tackle it headlong and move on. Stop focusing on what you don't have. The more you focus on that, the more you see the lacks and wants.
Every seemingly lack or problem is temporary so see them as a passing phase. They are not there to remain permanent. Things will always change.
2. A HEART OF GRATITUDE : Learn to cultivate a heart of gratitude. Irrespective of your circumstance, learn to be grateful to God for who you are, what you have and where you are.
The more grateful you are, the happier you are, the healthier you will be and the longer you would live. Always have a mental picture of the things you are grateful for so that whenever you hit a rock bottom you can always refer to them and be grateful for life.
Gratitude also creates room for more. When you are grateful to God for the little you have, He gives you more and a grateful heart is always a happy and a joyful heart.
3. TRUST GOD : Irrespective of the present situation, you've got to learn to trust God. This was the secret of Paul in the art of contentment.
He said in Philippians 4:12 'I know what it is to be in need, and I know what 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 in want."
Paul having his trust and confidence in Christ refused to let setbacks steal a moment of joy from him. He understood the fact that every moment we get to live is precious so he refused to allow his present situation determine how he feels.
He took control of every situation whether good or bad, whether he had much or less because his hope, faith, confidence and trust was in God.
That's why he went further to say that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13).
God knows what we need in life at every stage of our lives and expects us to live our lives per time. Whatever He entrusts to us is a test to see how contented, grateful and happy we would be with it.
Make Christ your source of joy, happiness, strength and peace and not in men, material possessions or money then you would find contentment and live by it.
Quote for the day - "It isn't what you have or who you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it." Dale Carnegie
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