Definition of contentment: "Christian contentment is that sweet inward quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition."
What is contentment? Definition of contentment explained.
I. Contentment is a sweet, inward heart-thing. It is a work of the Spirit indoors.
II. Contentment is a gracious frame of spirit
What is a gracious frame of spirit not opposed to?
- To acknowledging and feeling the pain of affliction
- To lamenting suffering with God and friends
- To getting help or seeking deliverance by lawful means.
What is this gracious frame opposed to?
- Murmuring at the hand of God
- Vexation and worry
- Tumultuousness of spirit
- An unsettled and unstable spirit that distracts us from Christian duty
- Distracting, heart-consuming cares
- Sinking discouragements
- Sinful shiftings and shirkings to get relief and help
- Desperate risings of the heart against God by way of rebellion
- A grace that spreads itself through the whole soul
- It comes from the disposition of their hearts
- It's a consistent contentment of soul--not just a good mood
A gracious frame of spirit is not :
- Natural quietness, by temperament
- A determined, self-sufficient inner resolve
- Natural, unsanctified reason (i.e. Socrates)
III. Contentment is freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God's disposal
The contented soul freely submits to God's disposal.
- The contented soul believes God has ordained his/her afflication and quickly submits to God's will in their affliction.
- They submit freely not by force.
- They submit rationally. They having a thinking, rational faith in God.
The contented soul takes pleasure in God's disposal
The contented soul takes pleasure in God's disposal
IV. True contentment is steadfast contentment
- The truly contented person will remain content even when trials of the kind they most fear come upon them.
- The truly contented person will joyfully bear up under trails at any time and for any length of time
- The truly content person will remain content even as life circumstances change, for better or for worse.
