Counseling: Learning Contentment

Thinking biblically about specific issues is important since we Christians get our worldview from biblical truth, & we can not make excuses, get correct help, must take action, and conquer sin, to live right and holy lives.

Resources for self counseling on the topic of Discontentment and how to overcome it. 


What is contentment? It is the being satisfied with the sovereign dispensations of God's providence. It is the opposite of murmuring, which is the spirit of rebellion—the clay saying to the Potter, "Why have You made me thus?" Instead of complaining at his lot, a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are. Instead of greedily desiring something more than the supply of his present need, he rejoices that God still cares for him. Such an one is "content" with such as he has. "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; never will I forsake you." (Heb. 13:5).
A.W. Pink

Understanding praise is to be given to God every time he reveals wisdom and truth to you. (See point @19:00-21:08). Everytime you gain knowledge of the Word, or even learn how to tackle and conquer any sin (by biblical guidance). 

Further Study
 
Part 1.  Part 2.  Part 3 



"Contentment, contrary to popular opinion, does not mean being satisfied where you are. Rather, it is knowing God’s plan for your life, having a conviction to live it, and believing that God’s peace is greater than the world’s problems."




The Puritans mastered the art of contentment with a skill that rivals the apostle himself: 

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Contentment in this sense is a dual grace: grace to abound, and grace to be abased. Jeremiah Burroughs’ relatively short life (1600-1646) was characterized by periods of great acclaim and periods of practical exile. The variety of his experiences set the stage for his twin works “Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory” and “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment” Together the two works address the full range of human experience and Burroughs exhorts believers in every station to treasure Christ for himself and his glory rather than merely for the blessings he gives of suffering he will remedy. 

“Since God is contented with Himself alone, if you have Him, you may be contented with Him alone, and it may be, that is the reason why your outward comforts are taken from you, that God may be all in all to you. It may be that while you had these things, they shared with God in your affection, a great part of the stream of your affection ran that way: God would have the full stream run to Him now.” 

(Jeremiah Burroughs: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment)

"Many great men judge the value of their honors and estates by the increased ability and opportunity such things give them to satisfy their lusts. They count themselves fortunate that they may do so with no self-control and in ways that others cannot afford. However, a godly man must prize good things according to their true value. You should estimate the value of your estates and honors by the opportunities they provide for service. A man who slights God’s mercies and thinks there is little value in them does not know how to be full... they are good things, but they are not so good that they make anyone become good." 

(Jeremiah Burroughs: Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory)


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If you are not saved, not sure you are, or were sent here by someone else and want to embrace Faith; not just so God can help you conquer these areas, but to be right with God, then review this and embrace it. God will give you a new heart, mind and desires. 

God bless

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