Contentment…*sigh* it’s something I am constantly working on. It takes effort to be content – to be satisfied with my life. There are problems in my life that I have no control over, but I have recently noticed that many of my “problems” are not problems at all, but merely a matter of discontentment. When I start to get my eyes off of the Lord and on others, I begin to do something very unwise, according to 2 Corinthians 10:12. I begin to compare myself to them! Others have nicer homes, better possessions, or more possessions, better cars, more money, larger ministries, blah, blah, blah. Comparing my own personality, possessions or circumstances to others’ causes me to become one miserable lady. And, as the saying goes, “When mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” My spirit greatly effects the spirit of my home. My spirit also effects my church family. When I am down in the dumps, they are too. When I start looking around at the faults in my fellow believers, I am not happy. I start becoming critical. This is a bad thing.

The fact is, God gave me the abilities and personality that I have because He wanted me this way. He made others the way they are for a reason. He has given me all that I possess, and likewise, He’s given others their possessions because He is sovereign and He knows what is best for me and for them. I guess I’m saying that contentment is a choice.

Now, it’s true. I am discontented with some things in my life that I can change. I am working on those. I am trying to walk closer to the Lord, control my thoughts and tongue more, save money, be more organized and lose weight. These are areas I can work to improve. I cannot, however, change others. I cannot change my personality. I cannot change my past. These are things that are beyond me – way beyond me.

Here are a few verses that have been a blessing to me as I choose to be content.

Phil. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 


1 Tim. 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 


1 Tim.6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 


Heb. 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Rom. 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 

I find that a spirit of discontentment creeps up unawares at times. I am trying to stay on guard against it.