Contentment. Are you content? What does contentment mean to you? Is contentment possible no matter your circumstances?
Scripture tells us that not only are we to be content, but we are to be content in all circumstances. Writing to the church in Philippi, Paul shares this in Philippians 4:11,
… for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
So what does it mean to be content? The dictionary defines contentment as being satisfied with what you are or what you have and not wanting more.
I don’t know about you, but for most of my adult life my contentedness depended upon my circumstances. And it was pretty much absent from my life for over a decade. In June 1986, at age 22, just days after my college graduation an armed, masked man hiding in my apartment sexually assaulted me. The afternoon this man spent with me forever changed my life. I lived for years cocooned in a prison of fear, despair, and hopelessness. Contentedness was not in my vocabulary. After that day I believed I would never live a happy, normal life again. He stole everything from me – my dignity, my identity, my security, and my hope.
I was furious with God for years. How I longed for wholeness, healing, and contentedness. But it was nowhere to be found. I tried counseling, medication, and self-help books. Nothing worked. Finally, when I felt I had nowhere else to turn, I fell on my knees before God and poured out my tears, my anger, and my questions.
It was in that place of complete surrender that I found healing, wholeness, and contentedness. They did not come all at once. It was, and still is, a journey. But what I learned was that to receive God’s healing and to find His contentedness, I had to accept that God allowed what happened to me that day in June for a reason.
My book entitled Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God’s Story documents my journey in search of that reason. It will be released on February 1st…just one week from now. You can click on the book cover in the side bar to purchase the book.
To be honest, I am scared to open this part of my life in such a public way. But, I know it is God’s will because of what He says in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
He gave me my story so I can bring His Truth, His Hope, and His healing to others. I can honestly tell you as I write today that this horrific violation that once devastated my life is now a blessing. God taught me powerful Truths and lessons and worked in me a grace I have never known.
I want to spend the next few posts sharing how God brought me to contentedness because I can honestly say it is a holy place, a gift that only God can give. We who put our trust and faith in God and His Word can make a place of weeping and sorrow a vibrant spring of living water.
If you know that place of sorrow and despair I am talking about, I would love to hear your heart. If you have known the healing of our amazing God, I would love to hear your story. Your comments bless me every time I read them.
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story 
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book)
Hi, Wendy. Thank you so much for sharing and for opening up so personally. I love how you wrote here: “He gave me my story so I can bring His Truth, His Hope, and His healing to others.” Amen. I pray He blesses you in such personal ways with treasures in your heart from Him as you obey Him with writing and releasing this book. May He do unexpected and beautiful things!
I am ordering my copy now! Hugs to you!
Wonderful post, thank you for sharing Wendy!
Sweet Wendy, may God pour out His blessings on you for being faithful to share. It warms my heart to know we walk this journey together as sisters. At first glance at our speaker team at Proverbs 31, people may think we are women who have never experienced heartache and distress. And yet you and I both know that God has taken a group of dysfunctional women (much like the disciples) and told us to pour His hope onto others.
Thanks for freely offering your life-story to share with those who need to see Christ in a mind-blowing way. You my friend, are one of the sweetest women I know and I pray that God will richly bless you through this healing time for hundreds.
Thank you too for giving your new book to one of my readers next week! I know there are so many who need to hear this story.
Love you bunches,
Luann
Wendy: Can’t wait to receive your new book. And I ordered one for a friend, too!
I just added a “Books I am Reading” tag to my blog, and yours is there with a link here!
(Technically, I will be reading your book…as soon as I receive it!)
Love, hugs and prayers,
Sharon
Wendy,
Thank you for sharing something so personal. As soon as I can spare the few extra dollars, I intend to buy your book.
I am an incest survivor. It will be 19 years this March since I took my father to court for raping me for a period of 6 months when I was 14. I understand the darkness and devastation that accompanies that kind of trauma.
BUT GOD IS GOOD! I have been blessed to receive forgiveness in my heart for my biological father. Not lip service to forgiveness. True, actual forgiveness.
I am grateful to God for every horrific moment that I experienced, because I know that I can bring Glory to God’s name when I share how God carried me through the torture and torment of the years that followed my experience and how God used that horrible situation to bring me closer and closer to Him.
Thank you for acting in obedience to God.
Angela
Wendy – Thank you for sharing your heart. I’m looking forward to your thoughts on contentment. And, I hope to order your book soon.
Wendy, I can identify with your story. It wasn’t until I fell before God too with my pain, anger and questions that healing and restoration began. It’s the beginning for us all. How I pray that God uses your book to convey this message and bring healing to many. I know He will.
Thank you for your faithfulness and friendship.
love you BIG!