Discontent can easily lead to questioning the goodness of God internally and outright rebellion externally in seeking to manipulate cirucmstances to attain what we falsely believe we deserve. Instead, its is my prayer that we as Christians may be equiped by the Spirit to replenish the oil of gladness and contentment in the lampstands of our souls by mimicking the Psalmist who says to “cast your burden on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)
Each year, Northeast Ohio (where I live and minister) is consistently ranked in the top five “gloomiest” areas in the United States. All you have to do is look outside in December and January, and you’ll understand what I mean. We average just 168 days of sunshine per year (that’s less than half of the whole calendar) … the U.S. average is 205. We typically see about 64.5 inches of snow annually, and an average about 41 inches of rainfall. Perhaps because I was raised here, I confess “gloomy” weather doesn’t bother me as much as it does others. However, as a Pastor I have noticed that in the doldrums of winter, I find myself having more conversations with people about issues relating to depression and discouragement, then I do say in June and July. Regardless if one deals with “Seasonal Affective Disorder”(a.k.a feeling SAD) or not, everyone can relate to experiencing seasons in their lives where they feel down, disheartened, and even discontent. Maybe its because of a particular sin, committed by us or to us, or maybe its an external circumstance and situation we are facing that is especially trying and difficult, all people (believers included) are prone to struggle with a lack of what Paul learned: contentment. The Apostle writes to the church in Philippi, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)
I’m growing more convinced of the regular necessity for all Christians to make an active and conscientious pursuit of what the great Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs called, “The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.” Not only for its own spiritual benefit, but because of the danger of living without it. As our spiritual forebears, the Puritans have thankfully written and preached extensively on this subject. And we are the richer for it. But I want to cite, or quote, an entire chapter (stay with me, its not as long as you might think-just three paragraphs) from another great spiritual treasure, Thomas Watson’s “The Art of Divine Contentment”. Wherever you may be today with the Lord, I trust this passage will be as beneficial and encouraging to you as it has been to me in my life and ministry. It’s worth our meditation and reflection:
“ Christian contentment shows us how a Christian may come to lead a comfortable life, even a heaven upon earth, be the times what they will.”
