"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."
again Burroughs says contentment is
"taking pleasure in God's disposal."
Christian contentment is a heart issue and is opposed to the contentment of the ungodly. Godliness and contentment is living by faith, faith in God's goodness, faith in God's wisdom and faith that God will watch over and protect His children. It is abandoning the idea that we deserve something from God and realizing that everything we have is a gracious gift.
The ungodly may show signs of contentment, but it is different that Biblical, Christian contentment. Some are pacified, but not content. That means they have enough to satisfy their flesh at the moment to prevent murmuring. When you give a pacifier to a baby, it is not what they really want, but it will do for the time being.
The ungodly my show signs of contentment, but it is not contentment, but resignation or fatalism. Many people give up and resign to the fact of their misery because there is no hope of relief. That isn't Christian contentment. like the reply when someone asks "how are you doing" and you say "I can't complain, because no one will listen, and it won't do any good."
Godly contentment rejoicing in God, rejoices in Christ Jesus. No one desires to loose a family member, to be poor, to have a debilitating illness. No one wants to live in hopeless despair. Contentment rejoices in God and enjoys God and resigns that God is GOOD and His will is GOOD and that what God has in store for the elect can't be compared to present sorrows.
Christian contentment says "If God is satisfied with His will(which I know He is, it is His will) then I am satisfied in God's will."
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
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