Our Lot in Life

You say, “If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.” You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. – C.H. Spurgeon

It seems to me that I swing between two states – I am either anxious or content. When one is experienced the other is nowhere to be seen. Neither state of being changes my situations, but one of them leaves me exhausted, wound up tight like a spring and unable to see all my blessings.

Life is so much more enjoyable when I am satisfied. Being happy right where I am brings an ease.

Is contentment an art? Do we have to practise it so that it becomes second nature? Do we have to train ourselves until it fills up all the empty places of our souls like muscles responding to hard work?

Thousands of years ago, Paul wrote “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4 v 11 – 14)

The secret of being content can be learned and God will give me the strength to do this.

One of our sons came home from a rigorous leadership camp, completely and utterly, spent. We watched him sinking into home comforts like he had never noticed them before. As the sun began to set he commented that he was in overwhelm with all the food, light and warmth. Our very humble home had turned into something that dreams are made of. Watching his uncurbed gratitude for every tiny comfort gave us all a much needed attitude check. Sometimes we just don’t realise what we have got until we don’t have it anymore.

Do we think more money, more time, more energy, more charisma or more skill will make everything better? It won’t. More is not, necessarily, more. There are people who have more money than they know what to do with but they are walking around with a cloud over their head. They might have money but illness, special needs, loss and untold dramas are a load they carry and a storm they live under. Money can’t buy some things.

Perhaps you are wishing the days away so that the children will go to school or leave home and you will have more time. Don’t do that, friend, your parents aren’t getting any younger and there’s a good chance you will need to care for them next, if not, whilst. If it’s not your parents, it’ll be an aunt or a friend, or a complete stranger you heard about who has nobody else in the world who cares. I’m not speaking negatively here – I am an eternal optimist, ask my husband – but we have to wake up to all the possibilities if we are going to enjoy the thrill of contented living regardless!

There is always going to be someone else more capable, clever or beautiful than us. They will have better businesses and fancier houses and so many of the things that we think would aid us in our sense of well being; but everyone has their own cross to bear. And the very ones we imagine to be living an easy life are going to be walking a road that has speed bumps or pot holes or bandits hiding in the bushes. They might even, imagine this, be wishing they lived a life more like yours or mine. To wish ourselves another life and another set of circumstances is not the answer to happiness.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (1 Timothy 6 v 6 – 8)

The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right. Next to faith this is the highest art – to be content with the calling in which God has placed you. (Martin Luther)

Occasionally, weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have. – John Piper