Learning to Be Content Lesson 3

Paul wrote Philippians when he was in prison. The memory verse for the week Paul states how he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. How about you? Are you always content? It is easy to be content when "all is well". But when there are waves of trouble, discouragement, frustrations, illness etc. we become discontent. This weeks lesson will be teaching us that the state of being content is a learned response. It doesn't just come automatically when we get saved. The memory verse states "I have learned to be content."

So how do you define "contentment"?

Content isn't getting what we want but being satisfied with what we have.

Rejoice ever more.

Pray without ceasing.

In everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

What is the source of contentment? OR...what enables us to be content at all times and in all circumstances? Philippians 4:13 gives us a big clue as to the source of contentment. "I can do all things....(don't stop yet)... THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHS ME". Also a favorite verse of mine, Isaiah 40:31 "They that WAIT UPON THE LORD, will renew their strength, they will mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint."

God is our source. He enables, empowers, and strengthens us. We can lean on Him for whatever we need whenever we need it. We can learn to be content in whatever state we are in. To plug into this power source, we must be in the Word of God. Without this connection with our Savior, we will never be content. You've heard the old adage "Sin will keep you from the book, and the book will keep you from sin". Plug into the power source that will enable you be content - READ THE WORD

You don't think Paul had too bad of a life? Read 2 Corinthian 11:23-28. Let this remind you that Paul is a great teacher on this subject, he truly had a hard life, but with his reliance on Christ he has the ability to be content.

The following is from our book, but thought it really needed to be included in this post. A missionary in Africa who faced many trials, learned to be content and this was her recipe:

1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even of the weather

2. Never picture thyself to thyself under any circumstance in which thou are not

3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another

4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that has been, or were, otherwise than it was or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself

5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's, not thine. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it.

Learning Contentment

We've defined contentment, found it's source, now let's apply this learning...

When we complain, we are not content. Romans 8:28 teaches "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Do you tend to complain, be discontented when things are not going the way you"think" they should be going? Don't just quote this verse you have heard so many times in your life, apply it. KNOW GOD WORKS ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR YOUR GOOD! and then live as though you believe it.

The author of this study encourages us to live a "palms-ups" life. When we turn our hands over with our palms up we are accepting whatever God is bringing into our life and then trusting Him to work all things together for His good. God's goal for our life according to verse 29 of Romans 8 is "to be conformed to the image of His Son." Living a palms-up life, accepting what God brings into your life (good or bad), is part of the process of transforming us into HIS IMAGE," learning to be content Don't complain, get weary or frustrated, trust God and wait on Him as He performs the work of transforming us into His image. Don't dwell on the past or worry about the future...BE CONTENT IN THE LORD!

Romans 12:1,2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

You cannot find contentment from getting what you want...

But from wanting what you already have.

Every person lives in one of two tents:

conTENT

or

disconTENT

In which do you live?

Click on comments and leave your thoughts or insights. Click the anonymous button and publish your comments. Thank you for participating in this study. Remember if you would like to purchase a book, select the Regular Baptist Press link and place your order. If you would like to leave a private comment, e-mail me at pl.armitage@earthlink.net

Your study leader,

Patty Armitage

A Daughter of the King of Kings