·

Finding Contentment in Christ | 5 Keys to Being Content

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

We live in a society that encourages us to want more, have more, strive for more. But as Proverbs 31 women, it’s important that we remember: true contentment is only found in Christ. The treasures of this world can never fulfill the desires of our heart to feel loved, joyful, or at peace. Today I’m sharing another post in the Proverbs 31 Prayer Challenge (series) about Finding Contentment in Christ.

Be sure to download my free printable “A Contented Heart” Prayer and Gratitude Journal at the bottom of the post!

Finding Contentment in Christ | Proverbs 31 Prayer Challenge @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Proverbs 31 Prayer Challenge: Day 7

This 21 Day Proverbs 31 Prayer Challenge is based on my post: Praying through Proverbs 31.

Today’s prayer challenge: Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. Proverbs 31:18

Lord as I pray Proverbs 31, I ask that you bless our finances. Help me to make wise choices when it comes to how I spend money. I don’t want to find fulfillment in things. Instead, I want to find my worth in You. It’s so easy to waste money on things that are not needed. But the Truth is only one thing is needed. Let that One Thing not be taken from me. (Luke 10:42)

I am empty and I need You to fill me. Fill me with Your love and Your promises, and Your goodness. Help me have energy throughout the day so that I might not grow weary of well doing. (Galatians 6:9)

Like the Proverbs 31 woman who demonstrates love for others through her faithful work, I want to learn to be content (Philippians 4:11-13), to live quietly, mind my own business, and work with my hands. (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

She is Content

What is contentment? I like this explanation from vocabulary.com

“Contentment isn’t an excited kind of happy, it’s more like a peaceful ease of mind. It’s being satisfied with what you have, whatever that is…”

I like to define contentment as a state of the heart and mind. It’s a restfulness, a place of trust, peace in the midst of plenty or want. 

And it’s something we can learn. Paul tells us, 

“…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4b:11–13, ESV

Finding Contentment in Christ: How to Be Content

Living in a social media world where people can share their wins, their vacations, and present a picture perfect life, is it any wonder that we feel so discontent with what we have?

Is it even possible to find contentment in this world full of discontent?  Let’s begin by digging into Philippians 4 a bit more.

#1 Practice Gratitude

It’s always important to consider the context of the verses we read. Paul shares why he can be content in verses 11–13, but not long before this he tells us:

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7, ESV

Discontentment can lead to anxiety. We want more and we begin dwelling on how we can take a better vacation, redecorate the house, buy expensive lessons for our kids. And that leads to spending more. Then spending more leads to worrying about our finances. It’s like a bad version of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” for a mom. 

What can we do? We can bring that anxiety to God. But it’s about more than just telling Him what we are feeling. Notice what He says for us to do when we make our requests known to God? It says to do so with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving changes our focus. It helps us to see all that God has already provided for us. It shows us what we have both physically and spiritually. We remember how He’s taken care of us and given us so many good things. It reminds us of how God has worked through the hard things as well.

God has always been more concerned with our holiness than our comfort because He loves us and wants us to be more like Him. He wants us to bring Him glory as we reflect His love for others—not to bring glory to ourselves by trying to have a picture-perfect life. 

#2 Think Correctly

Paul continues with these words, 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8, ESV

Whatever is true. Often the pictures on Instagram only give us a glimpse into someone’s life, a carefully curated one. Whether they realize it or not, people want other people to like them, to admire them—and so they share pictures and stories that highlight their best. 

Our focus is supposed to be on what is true. And truth is getting the whole picture, not just a piece of it. The only place we find the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, is the Word of God. Look at the lives of Rahab and Ruth, Mary and Martha, David and Saul, Peter and Paul. The Bible is honest about them all. The stories of their lives are about God’s work, His discipline, His heart for His people, and His glory.

I want to encourage you. When you find yourself feeling discontent, turn to the Bible and read and meditate on it. It’s easier to find contentment in Christ when your mind is stayed on Him.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Being content requires that you think about the Word instead of the world.

#3 Let Jesus Be Your Strength

Let’s go back to the verse we began with:

“…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4b:11–13, ESV

Paul’s secret to learning to be content? I can do all things—whether brought low or abounding, facing plenty of hunger. It’s through Him who strengthens me. 

Finding contentment in Christ happens when we abide in Him. The idea of abiding is painted in John 15 as being grafted into the vine. When we abide in Him, we are joined to the One stronger than ourselves. Our nourishment comes through the Vine, and then He produces the fruit. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22–24, ESV

#4 Learn to be Satisfied With What You Have

Paul said He had learned. Whether He had a lot or little, no matter how his circumstances changed, he knew the one constant in His life was Christ—and with that he could be content. 

How do we learn something? We experience it

If you get everything you think you want, then you’ll never experience the depth of joy found when you are content. There’s a difference between happiness verses contentment. Happiness is based on circumstance, while joy is based in relationship.

The depth of your relationship is often revealed in the hard places of life. Those times that we cling to God because we have nothing else. Those times when we see just how much He has blessed us, even if the world might see it differently.

#5 Trust Him 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6, ESV

Discontent divides our hearts. He wants our wholehearted devotion. Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24, ESV

Who will you choose to serve? Discontentment keeps us from serving Him because we’re busy… busy looking at others, busy trying to get, busy focusing on temporal things.

If finding contentment in Christ is important to you, you need to practice your faith and trust in Him.

We Have a Choice

We have a choice. Will we lean on our own understanding and seek the things we think will make us happy? Or will we choose Him? 

Contentment is about choosing Him. 

Action Steps to Take Today

  1. Pray and ask God to show you areas of your life where you have been discontent and exam the reasons why.
  2. Make a commitment to practice gratitude daily. Pay attention to you many blessings throughout the day. Download my free printable: A Contented Heart Journal below, if desired.
  3. Begin to change your negative thought processes. This may take some work, but all things are possible with God! Focus on those things that are true and you’ll find contentment in Christ.
  4. Learn to be content and really experience life to the fullest. Don’t take things for granted!
  5. Trust God to provide for all of your needs according to His riches, just like the promise found in Philippians 4:19.

Free Printable Gratitude and Prayer Journal

A Contented Heart Prayer and Gratitude Journal @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Download my free printable: A Contented Heart Gratitude and Prayer Journal with 15 different pages to print and use as many times as you like!

Sneak Peek Video:

How to Download

  1. Just fill out the form below and you’ll receive an email giving you instant access to my free printable “A Contented Heart” Prayer and Gratitude Journal.
  2. If you are already a subscriber, filling out the form won’t affect your subscription, but you will receive the link to download!

Why should I subscribe?

  • access to my subscriber exclusive resource library
  • exclusive coupons and sales to my shop
  • updates, challenges, freebies, and exclusive offers
  • instant access to subscriber exclusive printables
A Contented Heart Prayer and Gratitude Journal @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Similar Posts

One Comment

  1. Thank you for allowing yourself to be an incredible vessel for God. So many lives you have touched through your ministry of a virtuous woman.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *