Find Contentment in The Lord’s Goodness – Part 1
“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.” James 1:9 (NIV)
There’s no doubt the Lord has blessed my life in more ways than I can count. God granted me an enjoyable career, a wonderful family and a thriving ministry. From each, I've gleaned immeasurable joy, invaluable growth, and a deep, resonating contentment that can only be granted from the Lord.
Discontentment Rooted in Idolatry
“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
I’ve had the privilege of serving in ministry in many countries around the world. From this, I’ve observed that some of the most content individuals are those living in third-world nations with no earthy riches or wealth.
Conversely, I’ve noticed that there seems to be less contentment among Americans than anywhere else in the world. I find this so interesting, given we have been granted the most freedom and so many blessings of opportunity. How can we live in the world’s most free nation, a place where so many desire to relocate to because it is the land of opportunity, and not be content with what we have?
I believe American discontentment is rooted in everyone’s desire to fill their lives with everything but Jesus. Even American Christians fall into this trap. From seeking fulfillment in fleeting pleasures—such as money, career, job position, alcohol, drugs, pornography, and material gains—we will never be satisfied or made whole.
Advertising has brought about the concept that if we just purchase what is being sold, we will be fulfilled. The problem is that advertising takes a material object and convinces consumers that their lives are incomplete without it while simultaneously objectifying humans and appealing to the consumer audience on social and emotional levels. (I encourage you to watch even just a short portion of this old video “The Ad and the Ego” to learn more about the psychological—and I conclude, spiritual—repercussions of advertising.)
I’m convinced covetous discontentment is one of the sneakiest and most dangerous lies from the enemy that has been engrained in the hearts and minds of most Americans.
When will it ever be enough?
“And He said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’” Luke 12:15 (NIV)
When we adopt discontentment, we adopt amplified distress.
Contentment is not coveting the things you desire and being unhappy that you don’t have those things—or even that you don’t have those things yet.
Rather, true contentment is being joyful and thankful for what you have—for what God has given you. Regardless of circumstances, it’s being able to stop and thank God for what you do have, rather than dwelling on what you don’t have.
When we fall into the habit of dwelling on our earthly desires, we create an ongoing dissatisfaction cycle that consumes us as time goes on. Maybe at some point, if we’re lucky, we realize that we aren’t truly happy identifying as consumers and need something more to fill that void.
We were created for a greater purpose—to serve Christ through loving others and sharing the Gospel. When we choose contentment in Jesus, we can confidently step into this lifelong calling.