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Nov 07, 2024 18:00pm

What Now?: Contentment

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The following comes from the devotional book “What Now?” by Ashley Akers. To learn more, go to www.whatnowdevo.com.

Contentment

Growing up, my parents lived paycheck to paycheck. And sometimes, not even that! While I never went without necessities, I did compare what I didn’t have to what other people did have, especially in school. I wasn’t content with my life and I wanted more. I wanted to feel accepted. In my mind, I thought in order to be accepted I had to change. I tried to act different, more like the popular crowd and I wanted to wear certain brand-named clothes. Sounds vain, doesn’t it? Well, it is. This. Is. Surface. Level. Stuff. Such a lack of contentment is often a symptom of a bigger root problem. The root problem is a void—a God-shaped void—deep in our souls.

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul, a man known as one of the greatest followers of Jesus of all time, shares the secret of contentment.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him [Jesus] who strengthens me.

Paul had a lot of highs and lows in his life. Like, he suffered unimaginable hard stuff. But, Paul recognized that no matter the situation, his contentment wasn’t found in outward circumstances. Paul was not bothered when he wasn’t accepted by others because his focus was not on others’ approval. It didn’t matter if he went hungry or if he was blessed beyond measure. His contentment was found in Jesus, and so should ours be. God was the one who gave him strength, and Paul knew that He would never leave him.

In 1 Timothy 6:6-7 Paul shares more about contentment:

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

Profitable contentment is not found without godliness. Godliness is making God the center of your life and submitting to His will. You weren’t brought into this world with anything, and you can’t take anything with you when you die. So, make this one life you have count—live on mission by proclaiming who God is and what He has done for you! Life isn’t about money, how many friends you have, what kind of car you drive, how big your house is or how the world measures “success.” When you die, those things will have no significance. The only thing that will have significance when you die is the relationship you have with Jesus. Was the God-shaped hole of discontentment you were born with filled by God or did you mistakenly attempt to fill it with things of this world?

Reflection Questions

1. In what areas in your life do you struggle with contentment?

2. How have you attempted to fill the void in your life that only God can fill? Be specific.

3. Have you ever been completely content? Describe that time.

Challenge: Dig deep into the Word of God and watch the desires of your “wants” in this world disappear.