a tea bag of Contentment

posted on: 6.13.2011

© schwurlie
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
Psalm 16:5
I am learning about the good kind of contentment. The one that glorifies God. I'd like you to grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and sit with me as we explore this topic.
"Contentment is essentially a matter of accepting from God's hand what He sends because we know that He is good and therefore it is good." - J. I. Packer
In Philipians 4:11-13, we discover that Paul has learned to be content in all circumstances. Not only that, but he ends with the statement that "[he] can do everything through Christ who strengthens him."
  1. Contentment is something we learn.
  2. Christ is able to provide us with strength to be content.
  3. I can be content today; I don't have to wait for tomorrow.
"Contentment occurs when Christ's strength is infused into my weak body, soul and spirit. To infuse means to pour, fill, soak, or extract... How does God enable us to be content? He infuses contentment into us through His Word. As it seeps into our minds, it transforms us." - Linda Dillow
When I put a tea bag on my cup full of hot water, I see infusion. Then, the more time I let the tea bag steep, the stronger it gets! So it is with us. The more we spend time with the Lord and in His Word, the stronger we also get, becoming more content by allowing His Word to seep into our lives & transform us to be like Christ.

You can be content with where you are in this season. You can be content with the way the Lord knitted your veins, bones and skin together; the way He arranged your emotional make up. You can be content with the roles He has given you.

Like Paul, let's learn to be content in all circumstances as He is the one to strengthen us.

6 Smiles:

  1. this is a very nice post and very encouraging. i too have been learning about enjoying and be content with where God has me now.

    here's a quote i have on my wall to look at daily: Contenment is realizing that God has already given me all I need.

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  2. Lovely post! I Love the tea analogy! :)

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  3. From now on when I make my tea every evening (and mornings on occassion), I will think of this post :)

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  4. Hi! I just found you searching on Google because I've been asked to speak on contentment at a ladies' retreat (my first time! eeek!) and I just wanted to let you know that I'm quoting a few snippets of this beautiful post. Thanks for what you do!

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  5. Found this through your archives and was so encouraged by it! Thank you so much!

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