Finding True Contentment

Have you ever been discontented with some things?  Probably lots of things! Yet at times discontent can be troubling, like a burden weighing upon our soul.  Draining joy from our hearts.  Especially when we cannot seem to find contentment in our lives.  It is like an itch that you cannot scratch away. Yet when we walk with God, Psalms 23:1 holds out the promise that we will find contentment. 

Psalm 23:1 (NIV) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

In this article I will explore how we can experience true contentment by looking at this famous psalm written by King David.  A number of insights in the psalms relate to discontent.

True contentment is found when we discover…

GOD OUR GREAT SHEPHERD

Psalm 23:1a (NIV) "The LORD is my shepherd…"

In many movies and TVs today, an idea is promoted again and again. That we will find true contentment if only we find our true soul-mate.  That somehow there is this hole in our heart that simply needs a soul-mate to fill.  Then we can ride off into the sunset happily ever after.

Yet at the same time how untrue this is.  Just look at how many movie stars, celebrities fail to find this contentment even after marrying their apparent soul-mate.  The reality is that no human being can meet this hole in our heart.  Because it was formed when we walked away from God.

What David did in this psalm was to recognise that contentment is found in a person.  And…

God is the key (v1a) “The LORD is my shepherd…”

Jehovah Lord is the key.  Because of who He is and what He is. 

Consider this. In life, we are faced with all kinds of challenges.  The stress of navigating life and dealing with the all the unknowns waiting to pounce at us.  Whether it be our health situation.  Whether it be the security of our career or income.  Whether we find the right partner.  Our future.  Daily life itself throws up many challenges.  How to deal with difficulties in relationships.  How to deal with our own emotions.  How to make decisions in major areas. The pressures at work. Let alone when crisis pops up of nowhere.

We were never meant to navigate all of life’s challenges by ourselves. This is why we need God our Creator. 

We were never meant to navigate all of life’s challenges by ourselves. This is why we need God our Creator.  God who is all-knowing, all-wise, all-powerful.  He can help us through what we really struggle to work through.

The big question is, will He? Well, the great assurance to us is that God’s heart of that of a shepherd. John 10:11 (NIV) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

In the Old Testament times, good shepherds are known to be those who truly care for their sheep.  Who care for and nurture their sheep with love.  Amazingly, God is a sacrificial shepherd who is willing to give even His life for the sake of the sheep.  Jesus demonstrated that at the cross.

God is the shepherd above all other shepherds, because of His love for His sheep.  That is why God is declared as the Great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd. 1 Peter 5:4 (NIV) And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

God is the key because He is the only one capable of caring for and leading us in the right journey.  And God is not only capable, but His heart is to do so.

David recognised that God is the key because He is the only one capable of caring for and leading us in the right journey.  And God is not only capable, but His heart is to do so.

No one else can do what God does.  No one else has the same capability, the capacity, the concern to do so.  So the starting point for true contentment is to go to God.  The only Shepherd capable for providing true contentment.

AN AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SHEPHERD

Psalm 23:1b (NIV) "… my shepherd…"

Notice that the psalm did not say “The Lord the shepherd”.  Instead, it is "my shepherd".  A much more personal connection.  True contentment flows out of an authentic relationship with God our shepherd.  However, such relationship starts with…

 

Recognising we need the Shepherd

Today when we hear this phrase “The Lord is my Shepherd” it sounds almost romantic.  How sweet! Psalms 23 clearly implies that David sees himself as a sheep needing the care of God the Shepherd. Yet in David’s day, that is not necessarily a flattering declaration.  Rather, a humbling admission.

To fully appreciate this psalm, we must understand the nature of sheep.  Following is a list to describe what sheep are like:

• dumb

• stubborn

• defenceless

• without a sense of direction

• prone to wander

• slow to recognize danger

• nervous and uneasy

• easily excitable and frightened

Basically, a sheep is all the things that we would not want to be! 

Can you imagine what it might be like when the Israelites started hearing David’s psalms?  “Did you hear that new song David composed?  He is seeing himself like a sheep!  Sheep!  Those dumb, hopeless, vulnerable animals!  Why would he associate himself with such animals?”

Ah, but David had insight!  He understood the true nature of man, which was totally dumb, vulnerable, hopeless in our sins.  Just like sheep.  One thing is certain about sheep: they will perish if left to themselves. Jesus saw this in Matthew 9:36 (NIV) When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

The people were wandering helplessly without protection or care, because of a lack of a shepherd.  Unless we recognise our own helplessness and desperate need for the Shepherd, we will not choose to enter through the Sheep Gate of Jesus Christ.  Do we recognise our need for the Good Shepherd today?

Such relationships can develop further when we …

Recognising the benefits of our relationship with the Shepherd

What benefits does a sheep receive from a shepherd? A shepherd is able to protect and care for the sheep.  The shepherd feeds them, clean them and keeps them from harm.  The shepherd keeps them from wandering away, from danger. 

Sheep that listen to the shepherd gets the benefits of the relationship.  Sheep that ignore the shepherd, fails to taste the benefits.

Sheep that listen to the shepherd gets the benefits of the relationship.  Sheep that ignore the shepherd, fails to taste the benefits. For how can the shepherd help the sheep if the sheep keeps ignoring or running away from the shepherd?

Imagine when we see the car of our dreams at a bargain price. 

“Look at that car!  It is the perfect one!  I will buy it!” 

The Holy Spirit whispers, “Don’t buy it!”

“Shut up!  Don’t tell me what to do.  This is a great car at a fantastic price.” 

Then a month later the engine blows up.  And we blame God for not protecting the car engine.

Many want the blessings, but not the Blesser. Many want the benefits but not the relationship.  Unfortunately, it does not work like that.  The benefits and blessings come as a result of the relationship.  It cannot be provided separate from the relationship.  It is like a man saying to a woman, “I am marrying you just to get all the benefits of a wife.  But I have no desire to have a real relationship with you.”  How will that ever work?

The foundation for true contentment is found in a right relationship with God.

Where is your relationship with God today?  Are you His sheep today?  Do you hear His voice?  Like Jesus explained in John 10:27 (NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. The foundation for true contentment is found in a right relationship with God.

A TRANSFORMATION OF OUR HEARTS

Psalm 23:1 (NIV) “… I shall not be in want.”

True contentment does not occur just because we are relating with the right person, but because the interaction changes something deep in us.

It brings contentment rather than carnality.

Carnality is a shown by worldly desire for more.  It is about “I want!” It is a desire impossible to satisfy.  The more we have the more we want.  More shoes, better smartphones, better laptops, more expensive cars and houses!

Russell Conwell told of an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who owned a very large farm that had orchards, grain fields, and gardens. Ali was a wealthy and content man. One day Ali entertained a guest who told him all about diamonds and how wealthy he would be if he owned a diamond mine. Ali Hafed went to bed that night a poor man—poor because he was discontented.

Craving a mine of diamonds, he sold his farm to search for the rare stones. He traveled the world over, finally becoming so poor, broken, and defeated that he committed suicide.

True contentment is about a state of heart where there is a satisfaction, a peace with what we have.

On the other hand, true contentment is not so much about whether we have all we want.  True contentment is about a state of heart where there is a satisfaction, a peace with what we have.  It is no longer, “I shall not want because He provides all”.  Rather it is “I shall not want because my desires have been transformed.”

“Truly, the secret of contentment is not having much but wanting little.” Matthew Henry.

When I was young, I thought to myself that I would like to become a famous engineer.  To build structures that people can admire!  Embossed by plaques “Built by chief engineer Wilson Lim”.  But as I walked with God, something changed inside my heart.  It no longer held the same attraction.  I rather build God’s church and I care little if my name is attached to it.  After all, it is for God’s glory.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV) 6  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9  People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Godliness with contentment is great gain!  Such contentment flows out of godliness!  And godliness develops as we allow God to transform our hearts.

How is true contentment cultivated?

How does our relationship with God help cultivate true contentment in us?  Let me suggest some thoughts on this.

Firstly, it helps us realise that God is a good, caring Father.  Jeremiah Burroughs explained, "Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition."

The fact that God is with us, is sufficient. We can be contented. 

What does that mean? When we can reach that point in our faith journey where we can be thankful for what we have and remain patient in the midst of challenges. Even though we don’t fully understand, but we still trust in God’s hand.  Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)  … be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  The fact that God is with us, is sufficient. We can be contented. 

"Real satisfaction comes not in understanding God's motives, but in understanding His character, in trusting in His promises, and in leaning on Him and resting in Him as the Sovereign who knows what He is doing and does all things well." - Joni Eareckson Tada

So developing our trust in God to that point fosters contentment.  Once, a father bought a nice gift for his little daughter’s birthday. When she unwrapped, it she looked so happy.  The Father asked, “Do you like it?  Are you happy?” The little girl looked deep into her father’s eyes. ‘Daddy, I am very happy with this toy!  But I am happiest with you!”

Secondly, it enables the grace of God to fill us with contentment.  Did you realise that contentment is also a gift from God?  We can ask God to help us be content.  Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) 11  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12  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. 13  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

There is an inner strength which God can provide even in the midst of tremendous challenges, that helps us to remain contented.  In July 1967, a 17 year old girl dived in a pool for a swim and hit some rocks.  Paralysed from shoulders down.  She cried out to God, went through phases of self-pity but through it all she learnt to trust God.  Through the years she learnt to rely on Him for strength.  She is still paralysed today.  But she has been used by God to share the Gospel to many thousands, she acted in a movie about her life, wrote many books, produced several music albums, started an organisation to help the handicapped.  Her name is Joni Earekson.  She has passed the test.  She has learnt to be content in God.

The challenges of this world become more like inconveniences.  For we have invested our contentment in the next life.

Thirdly, it helps us renew our focus on the blessed hope.  The more deeply we walk with God, we realize that our journey leads heavenward.  As this realisation deepens, we become less concerned about our life on this world.  The pressures of this world that creates discontent will have less pull upon our hearts.  The challenges of this world become more like inconveniences.  Because we are more excited about heaven and being with our Shepherd.  For we have invested our contentment in the next life.

Conclusion

True contentment is found in a Person, rather than in things or achievements.  The process towards true contentment starts with us recognising that God is that Person.  For only God has the capability, and the concern to do so.

Beyond that, it is crucial that we develop an authentic and right relationship with God.  For that provides the foundation to developing true contentment.  And it is out of the continual interaction with God, that our hearts begin to be transformed.  Where we begin to be satisfied, at peace with what we have.

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