Seeking Contentment

Ken Byman | The Voice of Zion May 2025 - Round the Table Article --

Contentment can be difficult to find, and it seems we spend our lives trying to find this state of happiness or satisfaction with our lot in life. We tend to focus on our temporal contentment first, hoping for a raise, a new car, a new house or the next vacation. Through hard work and persistence, we may reach these goals and that can bring some form of brief contentment. Yet we quickly look forward to the next goal as soon as that contentment fades. Contentment with our temporal belongings, however, is insignificant when compared to the contentment we seek in our spiritual lives.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, “I am not saying this because I am in need, 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” (Phil. 4:11–13, NIV). Here Paul illustrates how contentment can be found regardless of one’s life situation. It is contentment like this that we continue to seek in our lives.

Finding this contentment that Paul writes about is often a struggle because our human portion frequently wants to fight against God’s will. We tend to focus on our temporal lot, hoping to make a more comfortable or desirable life. Yet God has ways to steer us back towards Him, and He is patient in His waiting as we slowly begin to accept His will. When we pray for God’s guiding hand in our lives, God hears our prayers, though He might not answer them in the way we ask. Instead, He answers them with what we truly need. Sometimes God determines that we need a trial in our life, and we may struggle to accept this.

One question we often ask ourselves is “How can I accept this trial?” In the case of smaller trials, it may be possible to work through the trial with little help. However, when God gives larger trials, we fail to find the personal strength to carry our burden. This is when we turn our face to our heavenly Father in prayer. He has surrounded us with many travel escorts to lighten our burden. Through the care, love, and support of these escorts, we begin to feel the acceptance of God’s will. Through acceptance, the struggle eases and we can then begin to experience contentment, which comes in bits and pieces and can be fleeting. Because we are humans and quickly forget God’s lessons, we will continue to seek contentment until our earthly journey is ended.

Though this journey is often overwhelming, it is also important to reflect on the blessings God has given us. There is contentment in knowing that He has guided us unto this day. We can also be thankful knowing that God will not forsake us, and He has given us travel escorts to help us on our journey. As Paul wrote, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Let us remember to pray for strength to find contentment and to thank God for the blessings He has given us.

Contentment is for today; we cannot save some for tomorrow. Like the children of Israel traveling on the wilderness journey when the manna was only given for one day, we strive to put our trust in God and ask for His guiding hand. It is a blessing to live with acceptance of what our future holds. May we always sing as the little songbird, praising God for the blessings of today and thanking Him that we can be free from the worries of tomorrow.