"Contentment" is probably an unusual choice for a posting in this the "season of our discontent." How can I speak about "contentment" with the world markets crashing all around us, 22 bank failures so far this year in the US alone, with California burning, the latest report of yet another illegal alien murdering one or more US citizens, the ongoing retreat of the values of America in the face of sustained attack, the vile attacks on people of faith because of their stands on certain ballot propositions, and on, and on, and on? I just realized that I used the word "vile" and did not even use it in the context of  the practitioners of politics, many of whom are  themselves a great source of our discontent!  "Discontent?" We live in an age of:  Let us count the ways and sources of our discontent.

Can we really achieve even a smidgen of contentment in these trying times? Yes, we can! Oops, I think that I just inadvertently repeated a political slogan of the just concluded presidential campaign. There go those practitioners of politics again. They take over our lives, and next thing we know, their slogans become our thoughts! Ah well........


Do not mistake seeking, finding and nesting in contentment, with capitulation to moral, spiritual, social and cultural decay, as we have been doing in the name of "tolerance," for everything and everyone....except God and His people. Those of us who do this, both individuals, and the groups of folks  who make up organizations, companies, and governments, will have to answer to Him. Not even the highest paid and most ruthless earthly legal expert will be able to plead our case to Him. In 1873, Horatio Spafford wrote, "It is well with my soul." If Mr. Spafford could write such inspirational lyrics after first losing his only son, then losing his fortune, followed by losing all four of his remaining children after a storm at sea, then we who live in less hardy times, should not be throwing in the towel so unceremoniously, when it comes to our God-given freedoms.

We should render unto the modern Caesars the obedience that comes with following the earthly laws that they have instituted, but we should not deviate from the tenets of God.

So, where can we find "contentment," and what is "contentment?"  The dictionary explanation is: "the state of feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status or situation."  Yes, I do realize that, if the 401(k) is sinking faster than the Titanic, and hungry mouths are waiting to be fed, it is difficult to be "content." Still, we must strive to be content with our lot. I have learned that.

This is not empty rhetoric. Although I have not suffered the same financial reverses or the same type of loss of children, as Mr. Spafford, I have had those "sea billows" of both financial loss and loss of dearly loved ones, roll right up to the to the roof of my emotions and threaten to drown me. But, it is also "well with my soul," as I have turned to family, friends and God for sustenance.  They have not disappointed. A co-worker described me as "not a bitter person," and she does not even know the reasons I can list why I should be a "bitter person." I am not bitter, because God has led me to learn to be content with what life has put on my plate. I describe God as that Being on a raft Who sees me out in the depths of the ocean about to sink, and Who pulls up in the raft, does not reach out a helping raft to help to pull me out of the water, but walks on the water, lifts me up and places me in the raft, where I am now safe and saved.

If we all pray: "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face,  and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will  forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14), then God may just bring us individual and nation-wide contentment. He said these words to the children of Israel eons ago. These words remain pertinent and extremely comforting in this modern maelstrom of competing and conflicting agendas.

Therefore, seek and find "contentment" in the words of the Bible, that mother lode, predominantly filled with wisdom, instruction, love, peace and genuine hope.

Proverbs 18:10, 24 

 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 20:22 

 22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Proverbs 21:1-3 

 3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Acts 2:25-28