Contentment is a State of the Heart

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 10, 2018

By Shana Schutte

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it  1 Timothy 6:6-7

My husband and I are spending the summer in the breathtaking mountains of Alberta, Canada. Since we arrived, I have been so grateful God has given us the opportunity to be here.

You see, there isn’t anywhere I’d rather be than in the mountains. I love the smell of pines and the crisp early morning air. I love the sounds of waterfalls, streams, and rippling lakes. I love birds, elk, squirrels, chipmunks, bighorn sheep, and bears. I love mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, and making friends with just about every dog I see. I love being in the mountains. It makes my heart sing.  

But even though the mountains are my favorite place on earth, when my husband and I arrived, my troubles didn’t disappear. I have still had worries and anxious thoughts. There has even been a night or two when I haven’t been able to sleep. It’s not because being here isn’t awesome. It’s because it’s not heaven. And because it’s not heaven, it can’t give me—or anyone—lasting contentment.

Since being here, I have been reminded, as Greg Laurie says, that contentment is “a state of the heart.” Contentment is an internal quality. Contentment does not—and cannot—come from anything external. It’s not possible. It can’t come from having a fancy house, being wealthy, marrying someone beautiful, being insanely successful, traveling to exotic places—or even living in the mountains.

Contentment comes from being fully convinced that God is God, that you belong to Him, that He loves you madly, and that He is always with you and will never leave you.

“I will never fail you. I will never abandon you”  (Hebrews 13:5, NLT).

Does this mean you shouldn’t enjoy blessings like a home, a mate, travel, or living in the mountains? Not at all. It just means you shouldn’t rely on them for contentment, satisfaction, or peace. They can’t save you. That role is reserved for God alone. If you do rely on them to save you, you’ll be like a child who is trying to catch the wind. It just can’t be done. And, it will just leave you frustrated, angry, and disappointed about why you can’t experience the satisfaction you desire.

God didn’t create anyone to get contentment from anything or anyone in life but Him. (And even in relationship with Him, you have to keep going back to the well of His love to experience peace.)

When you know God is your true source of contentment, your life will be built on steady ground because no one can take Him from you. Houses may be destroyed, money may dry up, and beauty may fade. But God will never leave you. Ever.

Are you looking to someone or something outside yourself to give you the contentment you desire? Look to Jesus today and tomorrow and the next day. He alone can give you the peace you need.

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