Are You Content?

I know very few people whom I would call 'content.' At least, content according to Jeremiah Burroughs' definition from back in 1648:

"Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition." Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment


People ask me all the time, "so, Chris, how are you doing?" And the expression on their face and tone of voice tells me that
they really mean it and are sincerely concerned for me, which I appreciate so much. I usually don't know how to answer sincerely, since the short, insincere answer that we all give on Sundays and in the grocery store, "good, good" just doesn't work for me. But anything more complete and sincere is too long and self-centered.

But being asked so often does make me look at myself and how I'm 'doing' more than usual. And I can say with all sincerity that I'm doing pretty ok! The kids aren't starving, the house is pretty well kept up, the dogs are happy, etc. But of course, when people ask me how I'm doing they aren't really wanting to know about my mad cooking skillz or the functionality of the puppies' bowels. They are wondering about my feelings, that is, how am I doing without Janie? Answer: pretty ok! I miss her terribly, but, yeah, pretty ok. Which leads me back to contentment.

The thing is, I want to see how living the rest of my life without Janie can dovetail with Jeremiah Burroughs' (Janie called him 'Jerry' for short haha) definition of contentment. How can I be content without Janie? That's the question, right? I feel like I have recently been learning about this somewhat through some rather taxing, non-cancer or 'loss' related stuff. I feel like I have actually been starting to see better how to be more content with the life that God has laid out for me. Or, as Jerry put it, how to "delight in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition." I really do *sometimes* sense in myself "that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit." Sometimes anyway...

Paul says there is a secret to contentment: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

And "him who gives strength" is Jesus. Jesus gives the strength for contentment in all circumstances. 

Sounds so simple, right? Then why is it so hard to live out?