Content in the Long Term

 The way I see it there are two levels of contentment.

The first is short term contentment, which usually means a time when all is right with our world.  Everyone is healthy, happy, has enough and there are no crises.  This level is largely defined by the state of things around us.  Be sure to take a photo because, if we ever get these times, they do not last long.

The second is long term contentment. It’s Big Picture contentment, Viewing the Entire Timeline contentment, Looking Toward Heaven contentment.

We can be content in the here and now because all of THIS will be GONE and what is COMING is BETTER.  
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Paul, in prison, was content because his heart was renewed daily.  We MUST do the same.  Renew your heart through Bible reading, worship, and face time with other believers.

Paul was content because he knew the difficult times were temporary.   We MUST remember that ours are, too.  Hang in there!  This too shall pass!

Paul was content because he knew that trials here meant glory there.  All of the crap we deal with here WILL BE WORTH IT there.  Though our problems certainly do not look or feel “light and momentary,” they do have purpose in furthering our relationship with Jesus and advancing His Kingdom.

Long term contentment is straight from the Throne of God.  It’s internal and eternal.  It’s what we see, not with the eyes in our heads, but with the eyes of our hearts.