Debbie Swindell

Where is Contentment Rooted?

This text delves into the concept of contentment and where it comes from. In the first part, we learned that true contentment is not dependent on circumstances and is free from envy. Although challenging circumstances are inevitable for every believer, God promises to be with and strengthen us. Understanding contentment is crucial for Christians as it reflects our hope to the watching world. However, we must ask ourselves, where does our contentment come from?

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. 

– Psalms 92:1-4

The answer lies in God’s character. Our contentment should be rooted in our trust and hope in a good and sovereign God. Our beliefs about God’s character shape our theology, which we live out daily, beginning when we wake up. A contented heart acknowledges our desperate condition while seeking to live in light of God’s grace. We must recognize our tendency to view our circumstances as things we can control, but looking to Christ means we pray and trust Him. The faith community’s contentment encourages the church by displaying inward assurance of God’s sovereignty.

True, lasting contentment is discovered in the good news of Christ. Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ and delighting in His Word are intertwined. When we trust Him, we desire to know Him more intimately. We are drawn to meditate on the Scriptures and regularly find contentment in the Word.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 

– Is 55:10-11

Praying the Word demonstrates our dependence on the Lord, acknowledging that He is working our circumstances for our sanctification while keeping the truth of God in mind. God comforts us through the Word by revealing Himself, and contentment is found as we trust the Lord to mend our messy, complicated lives for His purposes. We must be intentional to reclaim time in Word and prayer.

Our theology should influence how we read, pray, and meditate on the Bible. Even with the truth of God’s grace in mind, we still struggle with doubting God’s goodness. We can trust that the Word, working through God’s Holy Spirit, has sufficient power to change and sustain everything.

1. How can we develop a theology of contentment that is rooted in trust and hope in a sovereign God?
2. What role does the faith community play in encouraging and cultivating contentment among believers?
3. How can we avoid the temptation to view our circumstances as things we can control and instead trust God’s plan for our lives?
4. What are some practical ways to cultivate a deeper intimacy with God through prayer and meditation on Scripture?
5. How can we overcome doubts about God’s goodness and trust that He works all things together for our good?

How does your theology influence how you read, pray, and meditate on the Bible? With the truth of God’s grace in mind, why do you think we still struggle with doubting God’s goodness? Trust today, that the Word’s working by way of God’s Holy Spirit would be sufficient power to change and sustain all things.