Cultivating Contentment

​ CULTIVATING CONTENTMENT

Where I live in western Oregon, growing a garden is common and fairly easy. Mild temperatures and rich soil create conditions favorable to generous harvests of flowers and vegetables. Vineyards, orchards, and Christmas tree farms also flourish, each displaying the unique beauty of their crops. Yet, this abundant growth does not happen automatically. It requires time and strategic attention.

Lately, I’ve been pondering the harvest of my heart as displayed in my thoughts and conversations because, as Jesus said, “…from the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Complaining about health challenges too often becomes a dominant theme for me. I realize God invites me to honestly express the struggles of chronic pain to Him and trusted family and friends, but He also calls me to cultivate contentment.

NURTURING CONTENTMENT

During the eight years we owned a country property, my husband and I tended a quarter-acre garden plot. We planted blueberries, pumpkins, zucchini, tomatoes, corn, and a vibrant array of wildflowers. By the end of each summer, we enjoyed the fruits of our labors and had extra to share with others. However, we had to invest consistent effort and care to achieve this abundant outcome.

Weeds sprang up without invitation. Warm summer weather required us to keep the irrigation system in good working order (which, unfortunately, often needed repair!). We needed to fertilize regularly and keep a close watch so bugs wouldn’t decimate what we’d planted. Overall, it was almost a daily undertaking, but well worth it in the end.

I envision a similar process when it comes to nurturing contentment. I must be diligent in uprooting negative thinking through prayer and praise. I need to fertilize and water my mind with God’s Word so my life will exhibit His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, and more (Galatians 5:22-23). These practices actively foster gratitude, which goes hand in hand with contentment. As gratitude grows, so does contentment.

LEARNING TO BE CONTENT

The Apostle Paul’s statement in Philippians 4:11 (I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.) offers hope and inspiration.

Like gardening, learning to be content does not happen overnight. It takes perseverance plus patience. Although he was speaking about material provision, Paul’s declaration can apply to my own realms of need: relief from daily pain and adhering to boundaries essential to optimizing physical and mental health.

Offering specific Bible verses along with words of encouragement, Chronic Joy’s free printable, “I Will Give Thanks,” is a valuable tool for nurturing gratitude and contentment. The section entitled “Benefits of Gratitude” includes these wise insights:

• Gratitude teaches us to be content with what we have, with what we’ve already been given.
• Gratitude erases envy.
• When “Thank You, Jesus,” is on our lips, we realize He really is all we need.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, You know how I struggle to remain content amid the pain, frustration, and weariness of chronic health challenges. Please teach me to cultivate contentment as I care for the garden of my heart. I trust You to reveal weeds of complaint or bitterness and to remind me to sow generous seeds of gratitude. I praise You for Your abundant help and goodness. Amen.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• What aspect of your chronic challenges makes contentment difficult to sustain?
• How do feelings of discontent manifest themselves in your life?
• What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate contentment?