'Finding Contentment'

they were very competitive. We had to make sure that they each received exactly half of the dessert, a similar gift, or equal activity. There’s nothing uncommon about that. What was really telling, though, was when Mary Kay asked Wesley, “which do you want?” His response was, “I want whichever Nate wants.” While Wes was joking – mostly – it was an insight into the disposition of too many of our lives. We envy what others have. We even want what others have at their expense.

St. Aquinas describes envy as a kind of sadness and sickness of the soul: ‘the object both of charity and of envy is our neighbor’s good, but by contrary movements, since charity rejoices in our neighbor’s good, while Envy grieves over it…Envy is a special sort of sorrow over another’s goods.’ When we count another person’s blessings instead of our own, we will grow discontent and sick in our souls. Envy is the sin of wishing that things were other than they are with your life. Which, in a way, is an indictment against God’s faithful provision to you. If you only think about your disappointments and unsatisfied wants, you will be unhappy and discontented.

A sure path out of envy and to contentment is found when you count your own blessings. You can count other people’s blessings after you have given thanks for your own. That way, you can rejoice in the other person’s good rather than grieve over it. Epictetus wrote, ‘He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.’ Thankful living increases contentment. 

When the Apostle Paul was in prison the Philippian church sent Apaphroditus with gifts to minister to Paul. Paul rejoices in their gifts, but even more in their love and concern for him. Paul erupts in thankfulness when he writes, ‘Your gifts are a fragrant offering, and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil 4:18-19) Paul is not thinking of himself, his needs, or his condition. His heart overflows in gratitude as he says that he has ‘learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.’ (Phil 4:12) Paul wrote this letter while in prison either in Ephesus, Caesarea, or Rome. We don’t know exactly which. Paul was in prison at least three times, yet he could always count his blessings even behind bars or under house arrest.

The key to contentment is to count your blessings no matter your circumstances. Circumstances change from day to day, month to month, and year to year. God’s faithfulness endures every day of our lives. Take a moment to think of 10 things you count as blessings. Then take 10 minutes to give thanks to God. That is where you will find contentment.  

Blessings,

Jonathan