Do you know your limit? And are you appeased? Satisfied that you have enough?
Or do you always want more?
Webster says that to be content means:
1. to appease the desires of
2. to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions
So, are you?...content?
Just one more piece of pie, one more for the road, and enough is not is enough. Do you often say, next time will be the best ever? And it never is?
Well then you are not content.
Maybe you feel dissatisfied, annoyed, disgruntled, disturbed, wanting or needy. All opposite of being appeased, satisfied…content.
Why is that? Are your goals too lofty? Dreams too big? Do you strive for things that are way out of reach?
Where did you get these goals, dreams and far reaching sights? Maybe those TV ads that run by you every 10 minutes have you wanting to “be all that you can be” or you want to “have it your way” or you bought in to the “I want it all, I want it all and I want it now” idea. These ads will tell you that you deserve it all. The politicians will confirm that by telling you that you should have a house, 2 cars and a lofty salary. The world around us thrives on competition and honors winners. There’s nothing desirable about someone who isn’t better, and then even better, the next time around.
What about social media? Worried that you don’t get 20 likes on every thing you post? Does it make you feel like everyone has a better life than you?
What is it exactly that will make you content?
You’ll notice that I keep asking questions. That’s because I don’t have an answer for you. You’ll need to figure that out for yourself. However, I can share with you a few scripture verses that have helped me and may help answer the questions for you.
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me
1 Timothy 6:6-12 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Cor. 12:9-10 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” …Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.
Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Psalm 34:10 b Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing
Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Proverbs 30: 7-9 Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
Luke 3:14 And some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”
Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.