I had already answered Law’s question—can you be content and dissatisfied at the same time—the first time he asked it.  Yes.  Y-E-S I told him!  One can learn how to be content in every situation, like Paul did, yet be dissatisfied.

How did Paul learn how to be content regardless of his circumstances?  He knew, like David, that the Lord was his shepherd.  He learned to say, like David, “I shall not want.”  (Please read the post Say Like David: “I Shall Not Want.”)  In fact, Paul stated, from the New Living Translation of Philippians 4:11-13:

“Not that I was ever in need [or want], for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (All emphasis is mine.)

When Paul said “not that I was ever in need” or want and when David said “I shall not want” neither man was saying that they never had needs and wants or that they would never have needs and wants.  As stated in the abovementioned post, we all have needs, wants, desires, plans, agendas, and our own will.  This is natural.  What is unnatural or unacceptable is when we allow all of the foregoing to cause us to feel lack, particularly when they are not received/achieved/attained/realized in the timeframe we would prefer.  We simply cannot learn how to be content, even if we are dissatisfied, while feeling lack.

So, essentially both men were saying that they’d evolved to the point where their circumstances didn’t matter.  They’d learned how to be content in any situation and they did not feel, they would not allow themselves to feel want, need or lack for they knew God would supply all their needs in His time.  The latter is what I didn’t get the opportunity to articulate to my Christian big brother, Law, because he was at work and we had to end our discussion so that he could attend to a client.

Thus, in this post I’m going to fully explain, prove, and defend my point that one can learn how to be content while experiencing dissatisfaction.  First, allow me to share the origins of Law’s question (mentioned above).  It emerged from my remarks to him that I am determined to say, like David, “I shall not want.”  Also, that I intend to learn, like Paul, how to be content in every situation.

By the grace, mercy, and power of the One, True and Living God I am learning to live like David and say: “I shall not want.”  I am learning to live like Paul and say I am learning how to be content in every situation.  Nonetheless, I am very dissatisfied with my current financial situation.  Though this statement may sound like I’m contradicting myself or negating the validity of the previous two statements I assure you I am not.  I’ll prove it.

To be continued, God-willing.

Peace & Encouragement!

© 2010 Tair Ta’ir, H.H.B.M., and BE! of the 144,000 Publishing. How to Be Content When You Are Dissatisfied, Part I is copyrighted.  Please do not reproduce without permission.

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