There is so much discontentment in today’s world. It began in the Garden of Eden when Eve was tempted to think that God was somehow trying to cheat her, and to keep her from becoming all that she could be. So, Eve took the fruit and ate it. She gave it to Adam and he ate it. Thus sin entered humanity. The seeds of discontentment brought forth the bitter harvest of disobedience, which led to the loss of paradise and the entrance of evil into our world.

And ever since then we have been an unhappy race. After Eden, we have never been fully satisfied with anything on earth. And we’re still not satisfied thousands of years later. We always want something different, something more. No person can ever be happy until he has learned to enjoy what he has and not to worry over what he does not have.

I love Philippians 4:11. Paul says, "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Did you notice that Paul said that he "learned" it.  It implies change, time to grow, and genuine hope. Every Christian can learn to be content.

The following is an adaptation of David Branon’s definition: Contentment comes from close fellowship with God which leads to satisfaction with the situation in which God has placed me because I have TOTAL CONFIDENCE AND DEPENDENCE UPON GOD who has a perfect plan and purpose for my life.

Here are three ways that we can LEARN contentment:

1. Start thanking God (by faith) for everything that has recently happened in your life (I Thessalonians 5:18).  Don't wait until you feel like it. Realize that God is overseeing all the things that He allows in your life and plans to use them for good (Romans 8:28).

2. Write down the things or experiences that have hurt or disappointed you.  Then ask God to begin to show you the opportunity in every difficulty and the benefits that He intends to bring from each "bad" experience (2 Corinthians 2:14). This project leads to the development of your character and the composing of your life message through Christ.

3. Be content with the Lord’s provision for your basic needs. Paul tells Timothy in I Timothy 6:6-8 that “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” Have confidence in a wise Provider. That’s where satisfaction comes from. We need to continually remind ourselves what true riches are and where true riches come from. Our treasure is in Heaven, and we should set our minds “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). How is your contentment level today?