"Contentment" seems realistically defined as "enjoyment of whatever may be desired". That definition is realistic because the more contented an individual or community becomes the less extreme so more acceptable their desires will be. Contentment is an intuitive natural concept, whereas "peace" is a civil and so non-intuitive concept dependent on restriction, whereas contentment was and is self sustaining. According to the Dictionary that is what Contentment means. I am trying to decide what Contentment means to me. Whatever life circumstance I am going through I need to be content. So why is it is so hard? A couple of years ago I did I bible study on the Apostle Paul from Chuck Swindoll. It was really good for me. I think I need to read it again. I think oh I would be content if my house was clean, laundry done, every one was happy, spent enough quality time with each one of my children, Jason and I got to go out on a date night. But at the end of the day and self reflection I still do not feel content. Hm.... could it be because I am suppose to be doing God wants me to do and I am not doing it. We are going to start a bible study about Frances Chan's Book Crazy Love. I am looking forward to being challenged and being open to whatever God wants to reveal to me. I looked up these verses on contentment A merry heart does good, like medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. – Proverbs 17:22
Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with what you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. – Hebrews 13:5
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him that has understanding seeks knowledge: but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of Yahweh than great treasure with trouble. – Proverbs 15:13-16
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is rottenness to the bones. – Proverbs
2 comments:
I know what you mean. I too allow a huge amount of my contentment to be determined by how clean the house is. Silly. If you can get a hold of it, a great book on this topic that I've done a study through 2x is Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. It's really good and helpful.
Thanks Callie I am going to check it out
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