Thoughts on Contentment

#contentment

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 NLT

I recently reread these verses and had a new thought on how I can practically apply them to my life. And that application is contentment. One of the lies of the enemy that I’ve believed over and over again (and still partially believe if I’m being honest) is that I’ll be happy when (insert happiness condition). I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. I think things like…

It’ll be easier to love myself after I lose 20lbs.

I’ll feel more fulfilled when I give Ava a sibling.

I’ll be happier when I buy a house (that’s not in the hood lol).

I’ll feel more at peace once I’m making more money.

I’ll feel secure when the pandemic is over.

And the list goes on and on. It’s hard not to get stuck in those conditional thoughts, but they’re kind of comforting. In a way, they give me something to hope for. But the truth is, it's really a false hope because…

I may never get the things I think will make my life better. And even if I did, anything I try to find meaning in my life with besides Jesus will eventually leave me unsatisfied.

What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? Ecclesiastes 2:22-25 NIV

God may very well allow 2021 to be the year I get everything I want. New house, job, baby, the works! And at the end of the day, I know I’ll just want more. I’ll want new furniture to fill my new house, the new baby won’t fill whatever void I had that made me feel like I needed another one in the first place, I’ll find something else not to like about my body, etc. etc.

I recognize that in my humanity, I am flawed with an insatiable desire for more, that can only be satisfied with God. And even then, I can fall into the trap of allowing the peace I feel after one good prayer to “carry me over” into the next week, and then I’m faced with those insatiable thoughts again. Just like I need to sleep every night in order to face the day, I need a constant dosage of God’s word to keep my mind off of false hopes and on the truth of God.

All this to say, I’m encouraged with the truth that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can thrive in a job I don’t like, live my best life at any weight, have another kid or not have another kid. Regardless of the season I am in, I can be content.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the reminder that you’ve shared the secret of living with me. Please help me to rely on your strength and thrive in your joy all the days of my life. Continue to remind me of your truth when I start to look for anything else to complete me. You are enough. Amen.

Do you fall into the if/then thought patterns too? What are you doing to combat them? Would love to hear from you! Create an account and leave me a comment :-)