It seems like we’re bombarded constantly by commercials and ads telling us what we “need” to make our life better. Promises that, with this product, the next time we look in the mirror, we’ll magically see chiseled abs, thick healthy hair with no split ends and a flawless complexion. Or get our dream job far from here. But really, contentment has nothing to do with how you look, what you have, where you are, or what you do.

Think about it.

What if you were absolutely convinced that you were well made by a competent and skilled Creator?

Contentment is about Who you trust.

As Christians, we know that God looks on us as His creation, and that because of His great love for us He chose to send His Son to redeem us and provide a way for us to have an unending relationship with Him. We know that He has promised to meet our needs in Christ Jesus, and that He is immeasurably able to do more than we ask or imagine. We know that He has gone to prepare a place for us, and that because of His grace we can spend eternity with Him.

So, when you think about it, we really have every reason to be content.

Our contentment really is about more than just our personal happiness. It is a demonstration of our daily trust in God. It shows that we really believe that His way is better than our own. It allows us to focus on what God is doing in and around us right now. And when we are content, we allow others to see a glimpse of the peace that passes understanding.

That’s why we think it’s so important for us to help kids Get a Clue on who’s stealing their contentment.After all, contentment is choosing to be happy with what you’ve got.

In fact, our monthlyMemory Verse hints at the secret to being content. Philippians 4:11b-12a says: “I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens.” (NIrV)

In Week One’sBible story,we go back to the beginning in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-13, 23, 24). We unpack how the first human beings, even though they had everything they could need, were tempted by the one thing they’d been instructed to leave alone.

We’re going to talk about how the snake whispered to Eve, and who might be whispering to us too.Because they didn’t make a wise choice, we’re all still living with the consequences today. Our Bottom Line is: When you want what you shouldn’t have, it can lead to trouble.

In Week Two’s Bible story,we’ll focus on how the Israelites longed for Egypt, or the “good ol’ days.” (Exodus 16:2-21, 17:1-4) It’s ironic that even after God miraculously rescued them and continued to provide for them in mind-blowing ways that the Israelites still weren’t happy. And their discontent and whining caused them to miss out on the miracles all around them. So, our Bottom Line is: When you want what you had before, you miss what you have now.

In Week Three’s Bible story,we learn about spoiled King Ahab, who’s seriously upset when his neighbor Naboth won’t sell his family’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-19, 27). We’ll unpack the story like a murder mystery, “WhoDunIt?,” to discover all the people involved and their motives.

At its heart, this story is not only about wanting things that other people have; it’s also a cautionary tale about what happens when we compare ourselves and our unique situation to the people around us. So, the Bottom Line is: When you want what someone else has, it can make you miserable.

In Week Four’s Bible story, we unpack a practical go-to passage about worry, which really gets in the way of contentment, doesn’t it? (Matthew 6:25-30) Jesus sets the scene—using everyday examples of things like birds and flowers to point out how much more God cares about people. So, why do we doubt and stress out about the future?

It’s not a bad thing to think about or plan for the future. But worrying about all the what if’s and wondering anxiously about how things will turn out shows that we don’t really trust God to take care of us. We seem to want stuff to make us feel important, powerful, and secure. But God says, “You have Me!” So, our Bottom Lineis: When you trust God, you don’t have to worry about tomorrow.

Contentment has a lot to do with our perception. Some of us are more prone to look backward at the past, while others are always wishing for what’s to come. But God invites us to be present and focus on Him. Who’s stealing your contentment?

 By Cara Martens. ©2012 Orange. All rights reserved. http://www.WhatIsOrange.org * All rights reserved. Used by permission