The Importance of Finding Contentment
King and I were watching a Netflix documentary the other night about these guys who had everything in the world they wanted.
They were big executives in NYC making tons of money and had the big house, nice family, but somewhere along the line, they realized, they had no time because they worked all the time and so they decided to give it all up. They sold everything they had and bought tiny houses and minimized everything in their life so they could actually begin living. They realized they truly didn’t need all the “stuff” to make them happy, but time and relationships that truly mattered.
Contentment.
Everyone in this world is seeking contentment…striving to be happy and content. We as humans look to so many different things to try and fill the void we have inside of us to make us happy.
Some people think they find it in a house, a car, a hobby, a vacation or whatever else, but then after some time they start looking for it again as the “shine” has worn off.
I admit I have definitely been guilty of this many times…..so many times I have strived to have a material possession…could not stop thinking about having it until I finally was able to purchase it….and then some time after I bought it, it became unimportant…just a car or just another item.
Take for example the iPhone…when a new version comes out, people with perfectly great “older” versions will stand in line for hours just so they can buy the newest version. Gotta have it……
Why is it we look to “created” things to make us happy instead of the “Creator?”
For me, I have learned that when I become discontent, I have lost focus on my identity in God. God is the one who gives us value as a human being. We are His creation and because He made us, we have great value. We are His child. We are valuable because of that.
Value doesn’t come from what you have, but whose you are. And when we trust in the Lord with all our heart, we can trust that what God has given us is enough. Discontentment wants you to believe what God has given you is not enough.
Here’s a couple of verses that help me stay grounded with contentment…
Luke 12:15 says, Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
“Hebrews 13:5 says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Philippians 4:12b-13 says, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
True contentment is found in Christ. True contentment is found in walking with the Lord daily. True contentment is found in knowing God’s Word, claiming and relying upon it, and obeying it. True contentment is found in learning how to receive God’s love.
For some reason, this is hard for people to grasp. It is hard for me to grasp. My soul wrestles with it….but I am learning in baby steps to do this.
True contentment is remembering that Jesus is with you in every situation and circumstance and can be trusted to help you and give you strength every step of the way. True contentment is found in faith…..blind faith…the kind of faith that walks not by sight but by trust. It’s not easy, but if you will start by taking baby steps, it gets a little easier
I believe it is no coincidence that people who don’t have a close relationship with the Lord easily become discontent. I think it’s God’s beautiful and loving way to help them come back to His loving arms.
God is good and God is love all of His purposes are for our good. What a wonderful Father He is. I am so thankful that He does not leave us as orphans and His mercies are new every morning.
If you find yourself today unhappy or discontent, then begin your journey to find contentment by looking up and just whispering His name…Jesus. He will come and meet you and fill that void in a way your heart truly yearns for.
xoxo Ashley
