I often wondered why Paul used the word be content instead of be happy when he said that he knows what it is to have much or to lack..."but in all I am to be content." (I am to be - a purposeful choice.)
It was his way of saying, make sure you are satisfied with what you have right now. It may not be what you dreamed of, wished for or hoped for but learn to be content.
Contentment is not complacency. Often you hear people say be happy with what you have and there is truth in those words. However, be happy with what you have should not define the where you're at or will will be forever.
Contentment is a forward motion. It doesn't come to fullness if where you're at is stagnant.
Stagnation occurs when you do the same thing year after year. There is no change, no growth within you or your surroundings.
When you're living in change, growth, even a setback has its defined parameters as a test within contentment.
To be content is to look at the entire picture of your life and to be able to say, really say from deep down in your belly, that life is good; I am blessed; I am satisfied with all what is, even though it's not exactly what I envisioned, dreamed, wished or hoped for.
It's the ability not to dwell on what's not but on what is, what can be or will be and still remain satisfied in the now.
Here's the thing. What are you doing about it? You know it, the thing or person that you're not happy with? It takes courage and a hard bend of your will to fix stuff, but that's what life is all about. It's about challenge and change and being content in the journey, even when certain things in the now sucks.
So, repeat with me. In all things be content. Now let's practice it together.
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