"Fear Not, I am with Thee: Finding Contentment in Times of Trial and Blessing" taught by Marguerite H.

I. Seeking Contentment when we are "abased" and when we "abound"

Discussion: What are some adjectives that you associate with contentment?

-gratitude, peace, fulfillment, hope

Marguerite shared a story of her visit to Meteora, Greece. Early saints there built small monasteries on hilltops over several centuries, in order to feel closer to God. Six still exist.   Marguerite took the opportunity to express gratitude for a tender mercy with each step as she visited these places of worship. She climbed over 800 steps that day, but her sense of contentment only increased throughout the day.  We do not need to go to a special place to feel contentment.  We can have feelings of contentment in our daily walk.

One of the Greek monasteries 

Philippians 4:11-12 states "...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound..."

To be abased means to be brought to the bottom of something, yet Paul speaks of being able to feel content both while abased and in times of abundance. He had been ridiculed, imprisoned, and slandered, yet he felt content. Many of the testimonies shared in sacrament meeting today touched on this theme. Regardless of our circumstances, if we look to the Lord we can find this contentment day by day.

Discussion: What does contentment feel like to you?

-Warm sun on my face and body. Not trapped, but free.

-You can go in and out of contentment. It can be 10 minutes of your day, or even 2 minutes. It's a feeling of not wanting anything in that moment. Like the children's book Five Minutes Peace, where the mama elephant just wants a bubble bath and her children are crawling all over her. Sometimes all we want or need is a few minutes.

-Shade and protection, like in Psalms 36:7 which states "How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied..."

-See also:  Psalms 107:9, Psalms 23;

II. Traps that keep us from feeling contentment

Discussion: What are some traps that keep us from feeling content?

1) "When I do not have any trials, then and only then can I feel content".  This is not so, but not because we are unrighteous or because of a lack of our Heavenly Father's love.  Challenges have always been included in God's great plan to test our faith and help us grow in humility, understanding, and compassion.  Christ promised:  "In the world ye shall have tribulation."  He said he came to wipe away our tears, not to ensure that we would never weep.  Challenges will come and as they do, it is our Heavenly Father's desire for us to find contentment in times of both trial and blessing.

2) "If I just try hard then I will feel fully content."The idea that contentment will come solely from my own efforts.  This sounds similar to Korihor, the anti-Christ from the Book of Mormon, who taught that “every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and … conquered according to his strength” .  Our best efforts are necessary, but not sufficient. Notice the contrast between Korihor who says his strength comes from himself and Paul in Philippians 4 who says his strength comes from Christ.  True contentment comes only with us accessing the atonement of our Savior. 

3) "When I'm perfect in X thing, then I will be content." This can get really frustrating really fast. The Lord's plan for happiness has already taken into account our imperfections. Our happiness is not contingent on us being perfect right now.  

4) Contentment is not the same thing as complacency. Being content is bettering ourselves through faith in and obedience to the Lord, trying to become more like Him.

5) We need to have plans in our mind, and ask God for guidance, and then be still. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."We need to learn how to handle Plan B (or C, or D!). Plan 1 doesn't usually happen, not only because of our decisions and actions, but sometimes because of the decisions and actions of others that affect us. We need to have grace and dignity in how to handle Plan B. The key to Plan B is where our trust is. If we replace fear with trust, the worries dissipate that get in the way of contentment.  It's like the plane bound for Italy that gets re-routed to Holland. Instead of being stuck on getting to Italy, let's not forget the Rembrandts and the tulips available to us in Holland!

6) We should not gauge our contentment by comparing with those around us. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught:  "The Sea of Galilee, only 13 miles by 7, was nevertheless large enough to provide the disciples with a vital experience involving faith and walking on the water (see Matt. 14:22–33). The wind was boisterous and frightening! Even so, compare the size of those Galilean swells and the length of that storm with what Nephi and party had to endure on the vast ocean! (see 1 Ne. 18:13–21). Yet both episodes provided the needed learning experiences."

The size of the sea makes no difference to the Lord.  Finding and feeling fulfillment and contentment is very personal.

III. Drawing on Christ's Strength

In Philippians 4:13, Paul states, "I can do all things in Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul had learned his lesson.

The Book of Mormon teaches that it's harder to find contentment in times of prosperity and peace. It's more natural to seek it when we're in need.

Discussion: How do we draw on Christ's strength to feel content like Paul?

-We have to stop, take time, and ask for it.

-Daily scripture reading, and taking time to count our blessings. Looking at how abundantly blessed we are brings the gratitude that leads to contentment.

Isaiah 41:10 and 13 state, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea I will uphold thee... For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee Fear not; I will help thee."

Compare to the hymn How Firm a Foundation, especially verse 4:

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee, and sanctify to thee,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

He promises is to be with us and strengthen us to be able "to do all things" through our journey.   By our side, with full empathy, unconditional love, and heavenly power, He promises to hold our hand.  Like Paul, whether we are "abased" and when we "abound" we can learn to feel contentment and peace because He is with us.