Last fall I began a series of posts called “The Encyclopedia of Me” with the intent to go through the alphabet and in the process, describe more about myself, my family, my beliefs and interests, etc. Obviously that process stalled in a big way (I only got through B), but that won’t prevent from starting it up once more. Better late than never, I suppose.

I chose to focus this post in the Encyclopedia of Me series on contentment because it is a characteristic I admire so much in others, and one that I lack. I wish for more contentment. (Does that mean I am discontent over not being content? Forget that circuitous logic for now.) There are many definitions of the word but I like the definition that says contentment means “happiness with one’s situation in life.”

For some reason, most of my life I have struggled with discontent. The sources of my discontent are as varied and changeable as the wind but include:

• problems with people (relationships)
• work issues
• spiritual deadness and/or myopia
• thinking I don’t have enough money
• wanting material things that I can’t afford or don’t need
• dislike of my physical appearance, wishing I looked different
• striving hard toward a goal (e.g. buying a house) only to find that it doesn’t satisfy
• a deep sense of personal failure

I hope as I get older (and I am starting to really feel my age) I will learn to be content with what God has provided for me and my family. I hope to be like the apostle Paul, who learned contentment even in the midst of extreme suffering and trial, including beatings, privation, and imprisonment.

I think one key to understand is that I wasn’t born content, and I live in a world environment that bombards me with messages that promote discontent. I have to learn contentment. Sometimes I get fed up and frustrated with my situation and I do one of two things: I mope around, giving up altogether; or I rebel and fight hard to change my situation somehow. These are two extremes. What about the middle ground of contentment? What about just being satisfied with what I have and waiting patiently for direction and guidance if a change is needed, waiting for the Lord to open a door? What about accepting who I am, who God made me to be?