Satisfied not Stuck

“Being content does not mean we are satisfied. In fact, to be content is to know we will always be groaning on this side of eternity. Yet when we believe that fullness will come, that there is more than this life, we live with contentment.”   Lisa Graham McMinn, The Contented Soul (found in devotional, Mornings with Jesus , January 30th’s devotion

Outside of all the other lessons in life we have to learn being content is right up at the top with patience. If you think about it they go together like chocolate and peanut butter. Separate they are good but together they make a good combination.

 In order to be content in all things you need patience. Being content makes having patience a little easier. A “little” easier I said! Back in my younger years of being a Christian I thought if I was “content” in some of the circumstances I was in meant that I was okay with what was going on and therefore God was going to keep me there forever and I would be stuck.

 Crazy kind of thinking I know but that is where I was at in my spiritual maturity. Being content doesn’t mean we will be frozen in time where we are at. It’s a way to endure life and get through it. It’s looking at where we are headed for all eternity, a life Jesus in Heaven as our mark to aim for.

 Being content settles us down so we can get things done. It’s not to be used to be lazy but used as a tool to get us through life. Being content in your job doesn’t mean you can’t go and find one that is even better. Being content that you’re overweight doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to do something to lose what weight you can.

 Contentment is a frame of mind we need to endure. In the Bible Paul put it that he had no needs that he learned to be content in all circumstances. Hidden in that thought is the key word we need to keep in mind. Is it “no needs”, is it “all circumstances?” No, the key word is “learned.” It was a lesson Paul had to learn and it’s a course we need to take and learn ourselves. Being satisfied doesn’t mean being stuck. Being content doesn’t mean we are satisfied with the circumstances it means we are feeling comfortable and relaxed because we have the God factor on our side. We see something bigger and better ahead of us with Jesus that makes what we are enduring easier to undergo.

Truly what goes together the best is our trust and faith in Christ. They keep us content in order to endure with the patience required to make it happen. Between us and Jesus we go together like peanut butter and chocolate making a great combination. Christ separate from us is still good but us separate from Him is not. He is the ingredient that adds flavor to our lives and keeps our contentment from turning into discontent which is a life of dissatisfaction, gloominess, unhappiness, displeasure, and sadness.

A lot of people are more than content with their life without Jesus. They like what they have and are satisfied but on the other side of eternity will they be content? Contentment in Christ goes beyond today and tomorrow, it last forever. Forever not because we are stuck but because we are satisfied in Him, Praise the Lord!

© 2012 Karen Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes