There it was – a picture of Paradise. The advertisement even said so! Peace and contentment promised with the purchase of a house in the Caribbean. Sounded good to me! I know intellectually that the promises of a Caribbean paradise are false. Yet the invitation to a life of ease so easily tempts me to believe it is the solution for my search for peace and contentment.

The apostle Paul proved that true contentment has nothing to do with external circumstances, but something to seek and to learn.

… for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
(Philippians 4:11 NIV) 

I need to learn that contentment is opposed to envy (James 3:16), greed (Hebrews 13:5), pride (Proverbs 13:10), anxiety (Matthew 6:25, 34) and complaining (1 Corinthians 10:10). Rather, as I learn the inward disposition of contentment resulting from a heart of humility and a trust in Divine Providence, only then can the rest and peace of godly contentment be known by me.

Do you, like me, occasionally find yourself looking for Paradise here on earth? Then join me this week in seeking and learning a godly contentment that can be found only in His Presence.

 

Sharing the journey with you,

Bob Snyder