Contentment vs Complacency

It was only last week I found myself feeling like I was in a rut. When I start feeling this way, knowing myself, usually I can identify fairly quickly why I’m feeling the way I am. As much as I try to convince myself it’s rooted in other things I know that the root of the problem is always that I am not pursuing the Lord the way I should be. I found myself sitting at my desk in my room and realized that I hadn’t opened my Bible in over a week, I hadn’t been praying, I hadn’t been taking to God at all. I realized that I had grown so content with not talking to God. This scared me. This leads to me thinking about what it even meant to be content. Was I content with where I was or had I grown complacent. Though these words sound so similar they hold much different meanings. Dictionary.com's definition of complacency is “a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger.” Moving back to contentment...what I pridefully thought I had become, the biblical word for contentment does not primarily mean to be satisfied. Contentment is not tied to inactivity in our lives; it’s tied to trusting God’s activity in our lives.

Paul addresses this in Philippians chapter 4. The word Paul uses for contentment literally means to be sufficient. Contentment is the attitude or mindset that who I am, what I have, and where God has placed me right now is sufficient to biblically fulfill the roles and responsibilities God has given to me. Contentment is recognizing that even though it may not look like it, we have everything we need to biblically succeed.

As random as it may sound, this reminds me of camping with my dad. We lead up the car and head out into the woods. We get there and what was brought is what we have. While I might see these things as pointless and even useless my dad sees them as necessary. He can take a pile of sticks, 3 leaves, and a pair of glasses and successfully start a sustaining fire. Contentment is making the most of what we have in front of us today. That’s why Paul says in verse 13, “I can do all things.” He’s saying that he’s learned to maximize the moment, to make the most of having a lot or having a little to the glory of God.

Contentment is something that actually doesn’t come easy. That’s when you get confused with complacency. Contentment has to be learned and practiced and it comes when we embrace what God is teaching us through any and every situation. And what is God teaching us? That He has and will continue to provide for all our needs. If God met our ultimate needs in Christ, He will meet our immediate needs in our circumstances today. Contentment is recognizing that what I have is sufficient and then making the most of it. So if God heals my sickness tomorrow, it means that I didn’t need it to be healed today. If God financially provides for my car to be fixed next week, it means that I didn’t need it to be fixed today. So, no matter where we find ourselves in life, I encourage you to look to the God of the gospel for strength and then seek to make the most of who we are, what we have, and where God has placed us for His glory all while pursuing HIM above all.