The Fight for Contentment

Friday, July 17, 2015


The fight for Contentment is a real thing. Everyone would agree that ease of mind beats dissatisfaction any day, but that fight is so real. It helps when I am reminded of things like this:

"Keep your life free from 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 don't have to be a scholar to figure out that the word "keep" assumes that some maintenance needs to be done in this area of my life. I can also assume that while most of us can't relate to the "love of money" we can relate to the love of "things money can buy."

God knows you and I have real needs. My kids and I just prayed for a month about a need our family had. God answered our prayers and we got back down on our knees to thank Him. My youngest couldn't understand that God answered the prayer because she saw her dad and her brother bring the new washer and dryer to our house. I explained that God is our provider and I trust God that as she matures she will understand and know Him to be our source of every good gift.

I know that being in need feels like an inconvenience. I also learned that the lessons you gain while I am waiting on God to provide, really enrich my character. I have been continually faced with my need for contentment lately. 

A dear mentor stopped by the other day and reminded me of this Bible verse:

"But godliness with contentment is great gain,  for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (ESV)

She told me that God doesn't require me to provide my kids with experiences (or things) beyond my reach. Such a powerful and simple principle! I am thankful for the freedom I receive as I rely on God to teach me what contentment really means.

Living a life of contentment is what I honestly want. I want to enjoy every great gift God has already given me. I know I will have to be on maintenance mode as I read the Bible and get to know what God actually requires of me.

The fight for Contentment is a real thing. Because of Jesus Christ, I'm more than a conqueror. Have a day of thankfulness friends!