Learning to Be Content by Dr. Johnny O. Trail, LMFT
My first car was a 1979 Pontiac Bonneville. It had a 350-horsepower engine with a four-barrel carburetor and had close to 200,000 miles on the odometer. The reason I obtained this vehicle was because it had formerly been wrecked when my mother was pulling into my aunt’s driveway. A boy that I played football with was the culprit. He hit her from behind and almost ripped the driver’s side rear quarter panel off the car.
Suffice it to say, the car was deemed a total wreck by the insurance company, and they sent my parents a check for the damages. My parents kept the car and promptly purchased a good used vehicle for them to drive around in our small town. As a result, the wrecked Pontiac was given to me—free of charge. It was my car throughout my high school years.
Since the rear quarter panel was gone, some of my buddies would come into the high school during the morning hours and throw their Hardee’s bags into the trunk of the vehicle and laugh about it. For some time, I wondered who was doing this until I saw my friend and football teammate throw his crumpled trash bag into the trunk via the open quarter panel into the car. He chuckled and walked into the building. I laughed too thinking it was rather funny.
That old car was not a Porsche, Corvette, or a Ferrari, but it was mine. I would hunt in the vehicle at night with my coon dogs in the trunk. The houses along our travels to the woods would hear bluegrass music blaring out of the eight-track cassette equipped radio, and dogs barking because of their cramped conditions in the car. Can you say “Redneck” with a capital “R?”
I would also take it deer hunting and place a field dressed deer in the back without a second thought. On one occasion, I got the car stuck in a field while trying to load a deer into the back. Unfortunately, the car was not four-wheel drive. I would never consider doing this with some of the new vehicles that I have driven. My wife has already said, “No field dressed deer in the minivan.” Rats!
Once, I ran it into a boy’s car who managed our football team. He had an even older station wagon that had a bumper which seemed to have been taken from a Sherman tank. I barely tapped him, but the humor that resulted from the slight collision remained for many years. That old blue car had been wrecked and ridden hard, but it was mine and I had a blast driving it. Sometimes I miss that old car. I was content with the vehicle, and it was my transportation.
As I reflect upon my first vehicle, I have often asked the question, “Why can we not learn to be content with what we have and who we are?” That old Bonneville was not fancy, it had been wrecked, one blinker was constantly on, and it pulled decidedly to the left, but it was mine and loads of fun.
The Apostle Paul encouraged the brethren at Philippi to be content regardless of the situation they faced in life. He says in Philippians 4:11-12, Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
People in the church and in the society would be happier if they learned to be content with what they already have. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” This would destroy certain selfish behaviors and help Christians to focus on others.
This same passage goes on to explain what can happen to people who do not learn the lesson of contentment. 1 Timothy 6:9-12 says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” The desire for “more” has resulted in people harming others and themselves in the pursuit of greater things. This is an important lesson for many today.
The idea of being content can take many different directions. Some people are not content with what blessings they have in this life. We must learn that God is the source of our blessings and be content with what He supplies us with in this life. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Instead of being content with oneself, oftentimes people do not feel “good enough.” We should be mindful of how God views us and what it means to please Him. In the eyes of many people, we will never be “good enough.” Why should we even try to please human beings? If Jehovah God, sent His son do die for the sins of the world (John 3.16), it should be enough for me to realize that I am “good enough.” Why can’t we learn to be content with who we are?
In the eyes of God, we have tremendous value. Luke 12:6-7 says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.” This should provide the greatest contentment that one can possible desire to possess.
