Precepts for Living: Contentment

Be content with what you have within reality.

To be content is to rest, or be satisfied. 

To be satisfied with life is another concept of the word content.  

Look about you at life and notice how many people in the world are NOT content.  They constantly rush about looking for new things, experiences, or knowledge that they feel brings them life.  But with such a constant effort they seldom, or if ever, take the time to rest and be satisfied with life.

The biblical concept of contentment refers to an inward, joyful satisfaction with the Divine’s provision and sovereignty, and in finding strength and security in Divinity regardless of circumstances.  It is a spiritual state of being spiritually strong and recognizing the provision of Divinity to provide support and spark when we are weakened or nearly extinguished.  It is a settled spirit that comes from an inward trust that the Divine will provide resolution and provide it in a way that is most conducive to our needs.  The Greek word for contentment is autakeia and implies inner strength and sufficiency, like a warrior unmoved in battle deriving power from the Divine to be enough.  

Contrast this stability with the instability that the fleeting satisfaction with specific objects or situations offers and the concept of contentment becomes a useful and stabilizing influence in your life.  

All it takes is pausing to remember to be satisfied with the Divine attributes and provision that is our life.