Contentment

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, contentment is being “satisfied with things as they are.”

How would you describe your state of mind? Are you content? Are you satisfied with things as they are?

The greatest prescription for contentment can be found in Matthew 5:3-11 in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The Greek word for blessed in these verses is makarios and it means happy!

Are you seeking happiness and contentment?

Fill your prescription by reflecting on Jesus’ words

You’re Blessed…
…when you’re at the end of your rope.
With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

You’re Blessed…
…when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.
Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

You’re Blessed…
…when you’re content with who you are—no more, no less.
That’s the moment you find yourself the proud owner of everything that can’t be bought.

You’re Blessed...
…when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God.
He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

You’re Blessed…
…when you care.
At the moment of being “care-full,” you find yourself cared for.

You’re Blessed…
… when you get your inside world—mind and heart—put right.
Then you can see God in the outside world.

You’re Blessed…
… when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.
That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

You’re Blessed…
… when your commitment to God provokes persecution.
The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

Not only that—Count Yourselves Blessed…
…every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Me. What this means is that the truth is too close for comfort and has made people uncomfortable.

From “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language”
Paraphrased by Eugene Peterson
Navpress Publishing Group, 2002