--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to think I was content, but now I…" description: "\"“I used to think I was content, but now I could see that my contentment was based upon how well I controlled the circumstances of my life, not upon my ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d84/robin-lee-hatcher-32498_happiness_i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i_1461731.jpg" --- # I used to think I was content, but now I could see that my… ![“I used to think I was content, but now I could see that my contentment was based upon how well I controlled the circumstances of my life, not upon my trust in a loving God.” quote by Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d84/robin-lee-hatcher-32498_happiness_i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i_1461731.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d84/robin-lee-hatcher-32498_happiness_i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i_1461731.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d84/robin-lee-hatcher-32498_happiness_i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i_1461731.jpg) > ““I used to think I was content, but now I could see that my contentment was based upon how well I controlled the circumstances of my life, not upon my trust in a loving God.”” [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Contentment should be rooted in faith, not in controlling life’s events. **In simple terms:** Faith, not control, brings peace. Key Takeaway Trust God, let go of control. Themes faith contentment trust Mood reflective spiritual Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal crises - life decisions - spiritual growth Key Concepts spiritual reliance humility Questions to Reflect On - Do you equate control with security? - How can surrender improve your peace? A Different Perspective Relying solely on self-control may lead to anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Loving god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loving-god/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) ## Related quotes > [“The apostle Paul wrote that he'd learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was in. I used to think I was content, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/the-apostle-paul-wrote-that-he-d-learned-to-be-content-in-whatever/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“At all times, in all circumstances, Christ is able and willing to provide the strength we need to be content. Contentment occurs when Christ’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-dillow/at-all-times-in-all-circumstances-christ-is-able-and-willing-to/) [Linda Dillow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-dillow/) > [I can not help it; as I draw near to you, you, in your turn will draw near to others, and learn the rapture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-sheridan-le-fanu/i-can-not-help-it-as-i-draw-near-to-you-you-in-your-turn-will-draw/) [Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-sheridan-le-fanu/) > [I trust that no loving thought goes unnoticed, even when I do not see immediate gratitude or behavior changes in the other person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-l-jampolsky/i-trust-that-no-loving-thought-goes-unnoticed-even-when-i-do-not-see/) [Lee L Jampolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-l-jampolsky/) > [“We don't hygge to be content, we find contentment in hygge. Hygge is... about pleasure, presence and participation. It's... the understanding that if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-thomsen-brits/we-don-t-hygge-to-be-content-we-find-contentment-in-hygge-hygge-is/) [Louisa Thomsen Brits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-thomsen-brits/) > [“Loving God and loving others are the only things that make sense in this world, Gavin. It’s what we’re made for, to love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/loving-god-and-loving-others-are-the-only-things-that-make-sense-in/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [(Whispered to a novice while standing in front of the convent library) Oh! I would have been sorry to have read all those books...If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-of-lisieux/whispered-to-a-novice-while-standing-in-front-of-the-convent-library/) [Therese of Lisieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-of-lisieux/) > [“Fellowshipping with people is life”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/fellowshipping-with-people-is-life/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“When my identity is tied to circumstances I become extremely insecure because circumstances are unpredictable and ever-changing... We must tie our identities to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-terkeurst/when-my-identity-is-tied-to-circumstances-i-become-extremely-insecure/) Lisa TerKeurst > [ “Paul in like manner declares, “Love is the fulfilling of the law:” and \[he declares\] that when all other things have been destroyed, there… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-church-fathers/paul-in-like-manner-declares-love-is-the-fulfilling-of-the-law-and-he/) The Church Fathers > [Loving God, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/loving-god-help-us-remember-the-birth-of-jesus-that-we-may-share-in/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [Let us pray that the Church be holier and more humble, loving God by serving the poor, the lonely and the sick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/let-us-pray-that-the-church-be-holier-and-more-humble-loving-god-by/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [If we are serious about loving God, we must begin with people, all people. And especially we must learn to love those that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/if-we-are-serious-about-loving-god-we-must-begin-with-people-all/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [“There is no interaction without God with interaction with men”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/there-is-no-interaction-without-god-with-interaction-with-men/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [So many things beat upon us in a lifetime that simply enduring may seem almost beyond us… But the test a loving God has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/so-many-things-beat-upon-us-in-a-lifetime-that-simply-enduring-may/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) ## More by Robin Lee Hatcher > [“I realized that I needed God more than I needed rescuing. I needed to draw closer to Him in the storm more than I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/i-realized-that-i-needed-god-more-than-i-needed-rescuing-i-needed-to/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“Every foot is slow on an unknown path, my dear. Just face the sun and turn your back on the storm. It will all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/every-foot-is-slow-on-an-unknown-path-my-dear-just-face-the-sun-and/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“What we say, my child, has an impact on those around us. Words can spread darkness and hate or shed light and love. Don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/what-we-say-my-child-has-an-impact-on-those-around-us-words-can/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“The apostle Paul wrote that he'd learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was in. I used to think I was content, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/the-apostle-paul-wrote-that-he-d-learned-to-be-content-in-whatever/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“Why must people be hateful toward anyone who is different? Because we live in a fallen world, my girl. I'm afraid people will continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/why-must-people-be-hateful-toward-anyone-who-is-different-because-we/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“He walked as he'd learned to walk, with only a minimal limp, back straight, head held high in confidence rather than cockiness. He walked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/he-walked-as-he-d-learned-to-walk-with-only-a-minimal-limp-back/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“their childhoods. How ridiculous to think there was some”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/their-childhoods-how-ridiculous-to-think-there-was-some/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“God, help me. I don't want to be afraid all the time. I\['m tired of it. So tired of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/god-help-me-i-don-t-want-to-be-afraid-all-the-time-i-m-tired-of-it-so/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“Loving God and loving others are the only things that make sense in this world, Gavin. It’s what we’re made for, to love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/loving-god-and-loving-others-are-the-only-things-that-make-sense-in/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“More than ready...Because God's got this.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/more-than-ready-because-god-s-got-this/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“My child, never judge a man because of his race. Never. God looks at the heart. So should we. We are all made in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/my-child-never-judge-a-man-because-of-his-race-never-god-looks-at-the/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“To say the least, it was inconsiderate of Diana’s almost-dead husband to show up at her engagement party.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/to-say-the-least-it-was-inconsiderate-of-diana-s-almost-dead-husband/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) > [“He would have to trust God for that, for he was helpless to do anything about it himself. His grandfather had said that was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/he-would-have-to-trust-god-for-that-for-he-was-helpless-to-do/) [Robin Lee Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) [Explore all 14 Robin Lee Hatcher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/) ## More Contentment quotes > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [I may not have everything I want in life but I have all I will ever need to make my life complete, my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-may-not-have-everything-i-want-in-life-but-i-have-all-i-will-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you can find as much happiness at the bottom of the ladder of success as you can at the top, then you understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-krause/if-you-can-find-as-much-happiness-at-the-bottom-of-the-ladder-of/) [Tom Krause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-krause/) > [There are two sorts of content; one is connected with exertion, the other with habits of indolence. The first is a virtue; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-edgeworth/there-are-two-sorts-of-content-one-is-connected-with-exertion-the/) [Maria Edgeworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-edgeworth/) > [“When we perform at our highest level of potential, we are content. Because we have given I best in what we enjoy doing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-j-barrier/when-we-perform-at-our-highest-level-of-potential-we-are-content/) [Ellen J. Barrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-j-barrier/) > [Money is made at Christmas out of holly and mistletoe, but who save the vendors would greatly care if no green branch were procurable?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gissing/money-is-made-at-christmas-out-of-holly-and-mistletoe-but-who-save/) [George Gissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gissing/) > [My crown is in my heart, not on my head; not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, nor to be seen: my crown is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/my-crown-is-in-my-heart-not-on-my-head-not-decked-with-diamonds-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Most of us are not content with our lot because we want a lot more](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianette-carbito/most-of-us-are-not-content-with-our-lot-because-we-want-a-lot-more/) [Marianette Carbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianette-carbito/) > [Pleasure simply brings more craving, but the problem is that we try to get contentment through pleasure. True contentment can only come through service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/pleasure-simply-brings-more-craving-but-the-problem-is-that-we-try-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Every human always wants more. We're never satisfied. True happiness doesn't come until we're fully satisfied with what we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-human-always-wants-more-we-re-never-satisfied-true-happiness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I was so nearly happy. There remained only a tiny something, something unexplained and inexplicable that buzzed in my ear when the lights were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennie-rooney/i-was-so-nearly-happy-there-remained-only-a-tiny-something-something/) Jennie Rooney > [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [One often learns more from ten days of agony than ten years of contentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-shain/one-often-learns-more-from-ten-days-of-agony-than-ten-years-of/) [Merle Shain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-shain/) > [Stop complaining and start accepting, everything happens for a reason, you may not notice the importance of the things that you have now, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hemantsmarty/stop-complaining-and-start-accepting-everything-happens-for-a-reason/) Hemantsmarty > [True intimacy is the experience of real acceptance and authentic vulnerability without feeling the need to apologize or fear rejection. The freedom to just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-blake-michiels/true-intimacy-is-the-experience-of-real-acceptance-and-authentic/) [Jordan Blake Michiels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-blake-michiels/) [Browse all 1,355 Contentment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I used to think I was content, but now I could see that my contentment was based upon how well I controlled the circumstances of my life, not upon my trust in a loving God.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robin Lee Hatcher" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i-could-see-that-my-contentment/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Contentment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i-could-see-that-my-contentment/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d84/robin-lee-hatcher-32498_happiness_i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i_1461731.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d84/robin-lee-hatcher-32498_happiness_i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i_1461731.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d84/robin-lee-hatcher-32498_happiness_i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i_1461731.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I used to think I was content, but now I could see that my contentment was based upon how well I controlled…” — Robin Lee Hatcher", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robin Lee Hatcher", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lee-hatcher/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I used to think I was...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i-could-see-that-my-contentment/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lee-hatcher/i-used-to-think-i-was-content-but-now-i-could-see-that-my-contentment/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```