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1. Contentment Is Yours to Have
A message from Jesus
Paul so rightly
instructed, “Be
content with what
you have, because
God has said, ‘Never
will I leave you;
never will I forsake
you’” (Hebrews
13:5 NIV). In other
words, because you
have Me with you all
the time, you can
be happy, satisfied,
and content even if
you feel le contraire!
Contentment is a state
of mind; it’s about
having an attitude of
gratefulness. This means
that you can be content
and optimistic no matter
what you are doing
or what is happening
around you. You may not
specifically like who you
are or what you do or your
circumstances, but My joy
can overpower your gloom
or unhappiness. And you
can act on My joy without
feeling that something fun
has to happen before you
can be happy.
Acts 2:28 (NLT) You have shown me the way of life,
and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
Psalm 68:3 (NLT) Let the godly rejoice. Let them be
glad in God’s presence. Let them be filled with joy.
For more Bible promises on
joy, check out these verses:

2. My joy will never leave
you. You can fall back
on it again and again,
continuously. Of course,
there are times when it
might appear that My joy
has left you. This often
happens when you begin
to base your happiness on
your emotions, and as you
know, feelings are fickle.
But this doesn’t mean that
My joy has left you. My joy
is still with you; you just
need to learn how to claim
it once more.
Also, the Devil doesn't
want you to find your
contentment in Me. He
likes it when you focus only
on things that entertain you
or appeal to your carnal
nature, which give you
doses of temporary joy.
Now, these things can be
good at the right times; but if you base your state of contentment on material
things or entertainment, your happiness level will fluctuate continually, and
over the long run you could end up being mostly unhappy and discontent.
Psalm 19:8 (NLT) The commandments of
the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart.
Psalm 118:24 (NLT) This is the day the Lord
has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Ugh ...
homework.
I love you,
Sis!
I’m perfect,
just the way
I am!

3. Sometimes happiness or
contentment is something that you
have to accept by faith and then
act on until you begin to feel that
positive energy within you. First,
you have to believe that My joy is in
your heart—remind yourself of My
promises about it in the Bible—and
next, act as if you have it, even
if you don’t quite feel joyful yet.
Begin acting grateful. Make positive
statements. Tell Me that you are
pleased with how I’ve made you or
that you believe I have a purpose for
the situation you’re in. And as you
act joyful in spite of your feelings, you will soon begin
to feel joyful. You will tap into that joy that has been
there all along and discover that it’s available whenever you need it.
Another excellent way to possess happiness is by giving it away. That’s right! Give
happiness to someone else. Do something that you know will make someone else
happy. Put someone’s preferences before your own. Aim to put a smile on their
face. I guarantee that as you start giving away happiness, you’ll begin to experience
greater happiness in return. It just works that way!
Why not make it your goal to be a
content person who isn't dependent
on physical surroundings or
experiences to make you happy, but
who strives to live in My joy? “In My
presence there is fullness of joy; at My
right hand are pleasures forevermore”
(Psalm 16:11 NIV, paraphrased).
Psalm 4:7 (NLT) You have given
me greater joy than those who
have abundant harvests of
grain and new wine.
Psalm 28:7 (NLT) [The Lord]
helps me, and my heart is
filled with joy. I burst out in
songs of thanksgiving.
Notable Quote
Happiness comes from giving, not
getting. If you pour out, then I can
begin the process of pouring into
you, and when that happens, you will
never be able to outpour Me.—Jesus,
Originally published July 2006.
We’re sure you can find many
more where those came from!
Originally published October 2009; adapted. Illustrations by Sandra Reign. Design by Stefan Merour.
Copyright © 2012 by The Family International