Many of us live in a world where we’re constantly being sold what happiness should look like. Whether through social media and targeted advertising, it’s easy to believe that happiness could be achieved if only we could have (fill in the blank). But what if we don’t look for worldly things as the solution to give us contentment? What if we let go of what we think we need and want but rather be content in what God has provided for us already? What is the key to finding contentment in God?
Finding Contentment In God
No matter where you’re in life, it’s so easy to want the next level up from where we are currently. If we bought the latest gadget or the latest season of something, the world has a way of trying to convince us that we need the next upgrade. Once we acquire something, our tendencies only want the next thing. It could be the next position, the next vacation, or whatever next that is for you.
Can we pretend for a minute that you have everything on your wishlist? Imagine yourself on a beautiful tropical island under a palm tree with the bluest waters, listening to gentle waves. Or maybe you’re sitting by your loved ones under a clear, running stream in the mountains. Imagine not ever having to worry about money and you can buy anything in the world that you’d like. No pain in your body and everyone you love is happy and healthy too. Is it only then that you could find contentment?
The truth is, that is not a life that Jesus promised us. The life that He told us we would have in this life is one with troubles. But that is never meant to defeat us or leave us in lack. Why? Because He is an overcomer so we are too through Him.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 (NIV)
So how can you find contentment in where you are right now?
Choose Truth Over Lies
Read: Matthew 4:8
We know that our enemy is the father of lies. And perhaps one of the biggest lies that he feeds us is that a much better life is being lived by others that have more. So we need to covet what they have and we could be like them if only we had what they have. What’s more? The enemy claims to be able to offer everything your heart could desire through the world. He even did this with Jesus during Jesus’s 40 days in the wilderness.
For many of us that could be thinking that if we only made more money, we could afford more things and more vacations that will make us happier. For some, it could achieve a certain level of success in our careers so we could have the power that comes with the position. Our underlying intentions could even be good. We could think that if we have the money, power, and influence, we could affect change in the world for the better. But is it us that brings peace to the world or is it only the Prince of peace that can do that? Are we the savior of the world to fix this broken world or did He not already come?
We live in a world full of lies where things offered by this world try to fix the same issues that it created. But we know that it is only the One who is not of this world that offers true solutions. Finding contentment in God starts with realizing what are the lies and what is the truth.
Choose What You Want Most
One of my favorite pastors, Pastor Craig Groeschel of Life Church, always says to choose what you want most over what you want now. Earlier this year, I made a wishlist of an item I wanted to buy and started saving up for it. I think of this item often whenever I get distracted by something at the store. It reminds me what my goal prize is before making the impulse purchase to buy something else. It is a silly comparison. But I think about what if I did that for Jesus every time I’m distracted by the world. Don’t get me wrong, the item I’m saving up for is of the world.
But I meant, what if I choose what I want most, which is a life with Jesus. But the current temptation is to live life as I want and choose to do things of the world that I think would make me happy. That could easily get me in a place of being ungrateful for what God has provided. It could make me think why I even have to save up for something I want at all and not go ahead and buy it now. But the principle of choosing what I want most, which is a heart connected to God, teaches me to prioritize that relationship over other things.
Finding contentment in God means being able to choose Jesus above the things that distract us away from Him. When we live a life full of Jesus, other things that try to compete for our fulfillment easily fall short. A life with Jesus may not be the easiest or most comfortable. But it will always be full of peace and joy in what we have and where we’re at because he fills our cups.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. - Psalm 119:30 (NIV)
Finding Contentment In God By Remembering What He’s Done
We as humans can get so forgetful. As much as God has blessed us, as soon as a new trial comes, we can forget how He has come through for us. Whether going through a job loss, waiting for a promised spouse, or children, our hearts can be filled with doubt and discontent. I can be guilty of this often. When someone else’s life seems to get “better” or God has answered their prayers, I forget the times God has come through for me. My heart instead covets their breakthroughs and successes and my thoughts shift to not having enough with what God has provided already.
But our contentment should not be situational or conditional based on our circumstances. Finding contentment in God should always be intentional, despite the heavy pull for the opposite. In fact, when that pull to feel that God’s provision is inadequate is when we have to be even more intentional. God is good and what He has provided is exactly what we need for the time, just like in the past. We can find inspiration from King David who practiced this.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. - Psalm 77:11 (NIV)
We can think back on how good our God is. The fact that we get to even know him and experience His presence in our lives is something to be grateful for. When we have trouble or tribulations, we get to run to our Father on the throne. And He is always good to hear us and lead us through our heartaches and challenges. Can you imagine not having that? We can take actions to not forget that by writing down every time God answered our prayers, no matter how big or small.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you that You always offer us peace. I often forget that and look for contentment in things of the world. I can get easily distracted and choose unfulfilling alternatives to only what you can offer. Teach my heart to seek you always and live in complete contentment in what you have provided already. And that doesn’t just mean things you have given us already but the ultimate gift that you gave through your son Jesus. We bless your name as we find contentment in You, Amen.
Recommendation
Knowing God starts with knowing His Word. If you don’t already own a Bible, there are many churches that give one for free. You can also download a YouVersion Bible App. Or if you’d like a physical copy, it can easily be found on amazon.