Secret To Contentment

(Source: www.martindriscoll.com)

There was one a poor stone cutter who lived alone in a bamboo hut. One day as he worked on a huge stone with his hammer and chisel, he heard a crowd gathering to see the king as he passed by. Joining them, the stone cutter watched in awe as the king was greeted by his subjects. As he wished he had the power of the king, the stone cutter was suddenly transformed into a king. He found himself riding on a great horse, waving at the crowd.
As the summer progressed, the new king watched the effects of the heat on his people. Men and animals grew weary and plants withered under its ray. As he gazed at the sky, the king realized that the sun was more powerful than anything on earth. He wished he were the sun. Immediately, the wish was granted. As he sent his bright rays to earth, he watched people hide under trees; he even had power over the crops in the field.
Then one day a tiny cloud moved over the land, shielding the earth from the sun's bright rays. Seeing it had power even over the sun, he wished he were a cloud. Again his wish was granted. Now he blocked sun's ray and felt important.
He became a gigantic cloud, and began to pour down rain. Rivers formed, and water flooded the streets and farmland. Only the massive rocks were unswayed. There is nothing, he thought, as powerful as a rock. He wished he were a huge stone. His wish was granted. As a stone he remained motionless, unmoved by sun, wind or rain. Then one day a man approached who pulled out a chisel and a hammer and began to chip away at the rock. Realizing that the man with the tools was more powerful than any rock, he cried out, "Oh, I want to be a stone cutter!" Once again he lived in a bamboo hut and made his living with hammer and chisel. And he was content.

Story as taken from: My Quiet Time

How often do we get caught up in the circle of discontent? Don't worry, it happens almost all the time to all of us. We could still have the cure. Let's see what Paul said in Philippians 4 : 11 - 13:

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

The secret to contentment is none other than relying your life on Christ. Be thankful with what you have, that's the key.