New Reminders: Happiness vs. Contentment

I remember the day I thought to myself, “This is the happiest day of my life.”  I was sitting in my little rocking chair with my new-born son sleeping in my arms and my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter was contentedly playing at my feet.  We had just moved into the perfect little home we had recently purchased, and my husband had a respectable, good-paying job as a teacher.  That, for me, was the epitome of the all-American dream, and I was living it!  I felt safe and secure, loved and loving, and my prayers had all been answered.  Not only did I feel great happiness, I also had an overwhelming sense of contentment.  I could not have asked for anything more.

A few weeks later, my husband was far away at a teachers’ convention.  My adventurous daughter had gotten her head caught between two stair rails, my son was crying and needed to be fed.  I was, no doubt, tired from being up in the night caring for the baby.  Was I happy?  No! Not right at that moment.  Was I content?  I still had everything I needed as well as everything I wanted.  And, though I probably could not have articulated it at the time, I do remember that I was calm and confident that I could handle the situation, with God’s help and a near-by neighbor’s assistance.  But I was not happy until the situation was peacefully resolved.

Happiness is a fleeting feeling, whereas contentment is a more long-term way of life.  Happiness is an emotion, but contentment is an attitude––a state of mind. Happiness is a reaction, whereas contentment is a lasting calmness that stays with you.

The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote: “In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content] –– whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12-13.  The secret to contentment isn't just being satisfied, it's a relationship with God.  And the measure to which we have that is the measure to which we can cope with any circumstance.  Paul was not happy to be in prison, but he was content because he knew that, with God, anything is possible.  Paul demonstrated that by making a deliberate decision to be content, a believer can trust God to provide our true needs.  Paul had learned this through his many trials and ministry experiences.

We too can maintain an attitude of contentment and expect moments of great joy and happiness if we trust God to give us the strength, to handle any circumstance we night face.