The Art of Divine Contentment, Chapter 8
Christian contentment shows us how a Christian may come to lead a comfortable life, even a heaven upon earth, be the times what they will. The comfort of life does not consist in having much. It is Christ’s maxim: “Man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he doth possess” (Luke 12:15), but in the being contented. Is not the bee as well contented with feeding on the dew or sucking from a flower as the ox that grazes on the mountains? Contentment lies within a man, in the heart, and the way to be comfortable is not by having our barns filled, but our mind quiet. “The contented man,” said Seneca, “is the happy man.” Discontent is a fretting humor which dries the brain, wastes the spirits, and corrodes and eats out the comfort of life. Discontent makes a man so that he does not enjoy what he possesses. A drop or two of vinegar will sour a whole glass of wine. Let a man have the affluence and confluence of wordly comforts, yet a drop or two of discontent will embitter and poison all. Comfort depends upon contentment. Jacob went halting when he sinew upon the hollow of his thigh shrank. In the same way, when the sinew of contentment begins to shrink, we go halting in our comforts.
Contentment is as necessary to keep the life comfortable as oil is necessary to keep the lamp burning. The clouds of discontent often drop the showers of tears. Would we have comfort in our lives? We may have it if we will. A christian may carve out what condition he will for himself. Why do you complain of your troubles? It is not trouble that troubles, but discontent. It is not the water outside the ship, but the water that gets within the leak which drowns it. It is not outward affliction that can make the life of a Christian sad; a contented mind would sail above these waters. But when there is a leak of discontent open and trouble gets into the heart, then it is disquieted and sinks. Do, therefore, as the mariners: pump the water out and stop the spiritual leak in your soul, and no trouble can hurt you.
-Thomas Watson
very good article. Easier read than applied.