How Can The Lord Help You To Feel More Contented?

In what ways can I feel more contented with my circumstances?

1. Sing praises to God in your heart for all of His goodness. Solomon writes, "A merry heart makes good medicine: but a broken spirit dries up the bones. (Prov. 17:22)

2. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast. (Prov. 15: 15)

3. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (Prov. 14:30)

4. Complain a little less, be kinder to everyone and be grateful to God and others for every good thing. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "Let your conversation be without covetousness: and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

5. Realize that living a Godly life with a spirit of grateful contentment is pleasing to God. Paul writes, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we will carry nothing out. (I Tim. 6,6,7)

6. Try not to feel envy or jealous of what others have. The good things you have are for others just a dream. Solomon writes, "Let not your heart envy sinners: but fear the Lord all day long. For surely there is an end; and your expectation will not be cut off. (Prov. 23: 17,18)

7. Find your contentment in your times alone with the Lord through prayer and the study of the scriptures. David wrote, "But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing You - O God and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heave, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face. (Psa. 17:15)

8. Ask the Lord for blessings on all that you do and say. Solomon wrote, "The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it." (Prov. 10:22)

9. Rest in the Lord and put away any feelings of envy. Solomon warned, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (Prov. 14:30) They who seek the Lord will have no want.

10. Fear the Lord and you will have no want. Solomon exhorted his son, "The fear of the Lord leads to life: then one rests content, untouched by trouble." (Prov. 19:23)

11. Realize that it does not take much to make a person happy. Solomon wrote, "Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." (Eccl. 4:6)

12. Do not follow the example of those who chase after money. Solomon warned, "Whoever loves money never has money enough. Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As good increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep." (Eccl. 5: 10-12)

13. Concentrate more on the quality contributions you can make rather than the quantity of things you can possess. Solomon wrote, "Though a man lives a thousand years twice over, but doesn’t find contentment - well, what’s the use?" (Ecc. 6:6)

14. Jesus promised to supply contentment if we followed Him and His will. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (Jn. 14:27)

15. Follow the example of Paul who learned to be content through the most difficult of circumstances. Paul wrote, "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 everything through Him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:12,13)

16. Try to live a simple life without developing dependencies on possessions. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. Because God has said, "Never will I leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)