How I Learned To Be Content By Cora Harris

How I Learned To Be Content

By: Cora Harris

I had been plagued with a feeling of emptiness… a longing for something more.

At the time, God had given me a job with a great salary working Monday- Friday, with weekends and holidays off, but I would still find myself saying, “There has to be more to life than this!!” Feeling restless, angry, and empty, I cried out to the Lord God; I asked, “Father, what is wrong with me?  All my needs are met, but I am restless and not satisfied.”

The Holy Spirit led me to Phillipians 4:11-13 where the Apostle Paul teaches believers how to be content in whatever state you are ( I was ) in. Paul’s journey was full of highs and lows, so these verses in Phillipians come from a very credible source. While reading/meditating on these Scriptures, BAM!!… the light came on. The key word Apostle Paul repeated through these verses was “learned”! Then, in the remaining verse, Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” A powerful truth, had been revealed to me… thank You, Holy Spirit!

One definition of the word content is “to be satisfied with present conditions or state of beings.”  Well, now!  I searched a little further and found that the Greek meaning of content is “to learn by experience”!!! I began to roll back to a time when I was not financially strong (abound) and what I learned through my difficult times and my struggles with money.   Now, I have learned to continue to tithe, to give offerings, and to freely give to others!  Content, yes… but that’s not all.  When I was a child, my mother taught us a song that said “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, and see what God has done.”

So here is my take from this (I pray for you, also):  When I stopped focusing on what I didn’t have and began to appreciate and thank God for all He had given me, contentment came in like rushing water. No longer restless!  No more emptiness or longing, because, (Here it is)… I have Jesus living inside of me!  Jesus is in my heart, and I am content in JESUS!!

So my challenge to you is simply this… Ask yourself , “Am I content in/with my _______ (make it specific to you) or do I need to learn to be content?

If you find that you still need to grow in the area of contentment, here’s the Godly solution: 1) Surrender all to God/Jesus, (2) Truly know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, (3) Trust Him, rely on Him, and then walk in peace being fully content with Jesus!!