Learning The Secret of Contentment From Old Hymns
The deep poetic words in old hymns can teach us the secrets to being content. All of our social media and advertizing is based on telling us that we need their product. We need newer or better things than what we have. Contentment is an inward feeling or response to what we already have. Contentment is not always the same as the feeling of happiness.
What Does Contentment Mean?
Contentment is a feeling of satisfaction and happiness with whatever one has. Nobody can get all that he or she wants in life. This is because as one’s need is met, another one is created. To live a happy life therefore, one should be satisfied with what one can honestly acquire.
Biblical contentment is an inward trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness that produces the fruit of joy and peace and thanksgiving in the life of a believer, regardless of outward circumstances
Contententment Comes From A Grateful Heart
The first hymn that came to my mind was Come, Ye Thankful People, Come which is often sung at Thanksgiving. For me it conjures up a vision of families in Pilgrim clothing that survived a horrible trip and first year in America. This hymn written in 1844 recognizes the blessing of having very basic needs met and recognizing God’s Sovereignty.
Come, ye thankful people,come, Raise the song of harvest home:
All is safely gathered in, Ere the winter storms begin.
God, our Maker, doth provide. For our wants to be supplied:
Come to God’s own temple come, Raise the song of harvest home.
Contentment Comes Through Prayer
What A Friend We Have in Jesus was written in 1855 as a poem by preacher Joseph M Scriven to comfort his mother who lived in Ireland while he was in Canada. Scripture reminds us that when we surrender our right to worry and give our problems to God we are granted peace.
What a Friend we have in Jesus , All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privelege to carry, Everything to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in Prayer!
Contenment Comes From Trusting God
My favorite hymn is It Is Well With My Soul. Horatio G. Spoffard was an attorney heavily invested in real estate in Chicago that was all destroyed in 1871 by a great fire. His only son had died from Scarlet fever at age 4. After two years of helping the city rebuild he decided to send his family on a vacation to Europe. While he was getting ready to join them he received a telegram from his wife simply stating, “saved alone”. Their ship had colided with another and all four daughters perished. Horatio wrote the words to this beautiful hymn as he crossed the Atlantic to join his wife. It gives me goose bumps when I read this vivid imagery.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well, with my soul.
We know life on earth will always have problems and it will never be perfect or pain free. God promises us a future in heaven that will leave all of our problems behind and that is why we can live here with contentment. The Apostle Paul suffered through great persecution, beatings, shipwreck and imprisonment and yet he wrote these words.
Philippians 4:11–13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
1 Timothy 6:6–8 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Contentment In The Face Of Uncertainty
The more modern “hymn” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, Because He Lives, was released on October 18,1971. Gloria stated in an interview, “It was the end of the ‘60s when it seemed the whole world was falling apart. In such a chaotic time, we were expecting our third baby. During this pregnancy Bill and I asked ourselves who would bring a baby into a world like this? It was easy to feel fearful for his future. But when Benjy was born and the nurse laid that little guy in our arms, it was an ‘a-ha moment’ of sorts. We came to realize that we don’t get married, make a home, have babies and go about our lives because the world is stable. When has it ever been stable? We live our lives with confidence because the Resurrection is true. We can raise this child in this unstable world because of the power of life. Because our Lord is alive, we can trust Him with our future.” When we sing this chorus it is a declaration of faith and hope.
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
