Sarah Ban Breathnach, an American author once remarked: “Whatever we are waiting for - peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance - it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart.” Philippians 4:11-13 reminds us: “Not that I am speaking of being in need, 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.”
Contentment is defined as being in a state of happiness and satisfaction. It is a need that some continually strive for, but struggle to achieve. It can include a zest for life, fulfillment, gladness, inner peace, pleasure and restfulness. However, true contentment is regarded as the realization, or an awareness that nothing in life ought to be considered as permanent, but merely transitory. Material things or situations may influence one’s belief that they have found perfection or an idealism in an article or place, other than heaven, but that in itself, is considered a fallacy by many, as true contentment can only originate from within. It is a form of self-identity and should not usually be contemplated as solely originating externally. It is how we realistically feel about our inner selves and the imposed wishes or feelings of others should never impact on our own discernment.
Bearing in mind the requirements of Matthew 7:1-11, it is important to remember that as good Christians, we should always keep the welfare of others and the way we respond to their needs in our minds at all times. However, some people seek contentment by solely doing the will of others and the resulting pleasure that may bring to a possible selfish individual. But, if that is the case, are they really living their own lives or that of another? One needs to retain an element of individuality to achieve contentment, or they may continually seek, but never find. The verses of Matthew remind us: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
Restlessness, on the other hand, may equally apply to some in a vain quest for contentment. If one doesn’t know what they truly want out of life, there is little chance of actually achieving its gratification. There may be many reasons for having a discontented life and perhaps, in cases like these, prayers for guidance may serve a more beneficial purpose. However, these prayers should be before any considered action, not after. Without them, disastrous consequences can occur as a result. Genesis 4 tells a pertinent story of Cain and Abel. Verses 1-16 state: “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength.
You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
If we are of an impatient temperament and do not allow sufficient time for life to reward from its natural course, or seek the help of God from anguish, which may ultimately aid inner contentment, then that may incur further problems. Fernando Pessoa, a Portuguese poet and writer once remarked: “My soul is impatient with itself, as with a bothersome child; its restlessness keeps growing and is forever the same. Everything interests me, but nothing holds me. I attend to everything, dreaming all the while. […]. I'm two, and both keep their distance - Siamese twins that aren't attached.” Of course, if we are of a sinful nature, or continually displease God through wrongful actions or thoughts, we may never experience true contentment. That pleasure may be denied us for our wrongdoings, and we could end up leading a nomadic or treasure-less life, because contentment is a precious gift from God. It is something that we can never achieve, despite all valiant efforts, if it is not the will of God. Philippians 4:6-7 confirms: “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.”
Amen.
