Let’s discuss how to be content in life.
Contentment has always been an issue for me because I felt like God didn’t care about what I desired.
My thoughts were “How am I supposed to be content when I barely have anything”? “Why is it wrong for me to desire more than this”? “How come everyone else gets to live a lavish life and I get the bare minimum”?
It’s easier to be content when you have the things you need. But what happens when God is calling you to be content with Him and Him alone?
Although, it’s challenging, it’s not impossible.
As I walk in the midst of this, I am honored to share with you the things I am currently learning.
Before the year is up, both you and I will understand how to be content in life.
This post is all about how to be content in life.
Are you ready? Let’s geaux!
What Does It Mean To Be Content
In sign language, one of the key words to teach a baby is “more”. It’s said that “more” allows a baby to tell you what they need.
If you think about it: More has always been in our vocabulary.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting the most out of life, but priorities do matter to God.
God never wants us to find value outside of Him.
Being content means that God is our Source and foundation of our value. It’s being satisfied in Christ because in Him we have all that we need.
Reflection Question: How do you show that you trust God for what you need?
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Why Is It Hard For You To Be Content
Being content isn’t natural to any of us. Because we are in the flesh, we have to subdue our lustful nature.
Lust is often associated with sexual appetite, but it’s described as a persistent desire for immediate gratification.
A couple words similar to lust is greed and desire.
The reason why it’s hard to be content is because our desire for more or the next best thing overthrows our appreciation for what we already have.
Many of us mistake being content with settling and never desiring anything else.
You may find yourself unable to be content because you’re always on social media wishing that you had another life.
Listen to me. No one is more loved or lucky than you.
Instead of running from yourself, it’s time to get back to the original mind.
Reflection Question: How would you feel if you missed out on the beauty of God because you were lusting after someone else’s life?
What Causes Lack Of Contentment
If you find yourself lacking contentment, its time to take inventory of where you’ve been attempting to find it.
True contentment lies in knowing whose you are and who you are. Your real life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3 ESV).
Through my own journey of coming to terms with my contentment issues, I discovered a few things that cause a lack of contentment.
1. Entitlement
Isaiah 45:9 ESV-Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’?
You should always treat yourself with the utmost respect and teach others to do the same. If I’m honest, because I had an emotionally abusive childhood, I demanded better from God.
My demanding better was entitlement because I felt like God owed me for the abuse I experienced. God doesn’t owe us anything, but He promised that He’ll work everything out for our good (Romans 8:28 ESV).
It was Him that got us started on this journey and it will be Him that will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6 ESV). There’s not a thing that God hasn’t seen or anything that He’ll allow to go unnoticed.
Everything you have went through was so that you can see that true goodness can only be found in Him.
Every experience is meant to show you how big your God is and how resilient He has made you.
You are not a victim.
2. Distractions Of The Media
Hebrews 12:2 ESV-Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Social media can be a detriment because it’s a penthouse for comparison. Something we don’t usually talk about is also the influence of movies and TV shows.
Have you ever wished you had a life like one of your favorite characters? Social media and films are modern day idols and distractions.
It’s critical that you fill yourself with more knowledge of God and yourself rather than allowing these distractions to fuel your discontentment.
3. Deferred Hope
Proverbs 13:12 ESV-Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Has your waiting season gone on longer than you expected? This could either be by God’s design or from a lack of obedience.
How do you expect God to open a door when you haven’t walked with Him through the last one?
Why should you be handed the new things you desire when you mishandled the old things?
A good parent would never put their child in harms way simply because of their wants. God knows exactly what you need and He’s asking you to trust Him again.
Your hope has been deferred, but His ability to restore it can happen in an instant. The question is will you trust Him?
{RELATED POST: What To Do While You’re Waiting On God’s Timing}
4. Worry
Matthew 6:33 ESV-But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
The word worry means to constantly think on, establish your first pursuit in, rehearse future in which you have no control over, fret, prioritize over, and mentally meditate on something.
Whenever you worry, you’re not paying attention to your present moment. In this world, those over media constantly use the same tactics to emotionally hijack you.
One of the most repeated tactics is to claim that there’s a shortage of a product. Notice the responses when a shortage is announced.
Also we tend to always worry about not having enough. This could include things like food, clothing, water, or anything else.
This is the primary reason our Bestie Forever tells is to not worry about our lives. He tells us to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness and then all of those other things will be added unto us.
5. Lack Of Gratitude
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV-Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Gratitude is putting your soul in check. It’s grabbing that attitude and using your dominion to get it to submit to God.
It could be strange practicing gratitude when you are at what feels like rock bottom, but do you realize that you have the One who is everything?
Because you are made in the image of the One who speaks things into existence, you have the authority to do the same.
As a believer, you are deemed to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV).
Who told you that gratitude is only a response to receiving blessings?
Remember no sports team practices in the midst of a championship game.
Click the image below to grab the Practicing Contentment Mini Bundle. Use it as a reminder that gratitude can help you thrive in every situation. Remember that where you are is holy because God is with you.
6. Selfishness
Matthew 6:10 ESV-Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is heaven.
Personal gain is against purpose. When God calls us, He isn’t calling us as individuals.
God is always thinking about generations.
You may be wondering why God isn’t answering a prayer, but what if He’s trying to show you the reason behind that?
What if that unanswered prayer is an indication that your prayer shouldn’t only be centered around you?
Do you realize that there are several souls attached to your yes?
Life isn’t just about securing enough for you and your family.
It’s more about expanding in the knowledge and wisdom for the collective. God’s purpose is for Heaven and Earth to look just alike.
He wants His will to be done on Earth just as it is in Heaven.
It’s so much deeper than our own individual needs.
7. External Validation
Colossians 3:2 ESV-Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Numbers. Followers. Money in the bank. Cars. Clothes. People. Views. Social status. Being vengeful.
Which one of these is your poison? It’s okay to admit that you want external validation, but it’s not okay to chase it.
You’re worth so much more and you are more than enough in Christ.
What Does The Bible Say About Contentment
The Bible is the believer’s instruction manual. If you have a question, it may not always answer your questions directly, but the principles will always guide your path.
God’s word is His ideas so you’re actually spending time with His thoughts when you read it.
Here are some scriptures that speak to contentment:
13 Bible Verses About Contentment:
1 Timothy 6:6-7
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
Hebrews 13:5
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.”
Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
1 Corinthians 7:17
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Philippians 4:12-13
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 who strengthens me.
Luke 12:15
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.”
Proverbs 16:8
Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 14:14
The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.
Can You Be Unhappy, But Content
Feeling and displaying more than one emotion is possible.
Contentment reflects an internal position while happiness is usually based upon what’s going on in a moment.
A beautiful picture of this a child receiving a new gift. He may play with the gift for a while, but eventually he’s onto the next thing.
He was happy with the gift, but later you find him wanting to build a fort with the box.
Even if you’re not happy right now, you can still be content knowing that you’re exactly where God wants you and you’re building towards purpose.
Reflection Question: Why are you not happy? Is it based solely on what you lack or where you are in life?
Click the image below to grab the Practicing Contentment Mini Bundle. Use it as a reminder that gratitude can help you thrive in every situation. Remember that where you are is holy because God is with you.
How To Start To Be Content In Life
1. Seek Kingdom And Righteousness
Matthew 6:33 ESV-But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
God’s people have used the Kingdom as a buzz word. How could we speak of God’s Kingdom without having the understanding of what a Kingdom is?
When Jesus spoke of His kingdom, He was speaking about the country of Heaven.
Although Heaven is invisible to the eyes, it’s more real than all of the countries known in our world.
Seeking the Kingdom and His righteousness means to desire, to set your intentions on, to pursue, and learn as much as you can about it.
Do you realize that before you were sent to this territory (Earth), you were housed in the mainland (Heaven)?
This life is about awakening to the truth of whose you are and who you are.
It starts with learning about your original heritage.
2. Practice Your Culture Codes
Philippians 4:12-13 ESV-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 who strengthens me.
One of your culture codes is to rely on the strength of your King. As mentioned before, the Bible is the ideas and thoughts of God.
In John, it says the word (Idea) of God was made into the flesh (John 1:14 ESV).
Study what your King did. This is a key to utilizing His strength.
Another culture code is thankfulness. Gratitude is an anchor of thankfulness.
At any time, you can pull on gratitude as a practice because things come and go, but God is constant.
3. Weigh Out The Facts
1 Timothy 6:6-7 ESV-But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
Everyone knows that we can’t take anything with us when we transition. So why do we try to accumulate so much while we’re here?
Even if you were to pass it down to family, there’s no guarantee that your assets will go to them.
Wouldn’t you rather leave a significant impact on people’s hearts and minds?
You were created to leave a lasting legacy that will stand until the test of time. This is why God tells us to delight ourselves in Him.
It’s so that He can give us the desires of His heart (Psalm 37:4 ESV).
We often believe that God is giving us our desires, but it’s not until we align our lives with His will and His way.
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4. Keep Your Motives Clean
Hebrews 13:5 ESV-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.”
Have you ever wondered why God put “He will never leave you or forsake you” in the same verse as “keep your life free from the love of money”?
I believe is that God was trying to get us to see that money is fleeting while He is eternal.
I also believe that He knows the power of when you fall in love with something.
When you love something, you’ll do anything for it.
5. Talk To God Always
Psalm 55:22 ESV-Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
You are so wealthy. The fact that you have access to the God who own everything is a big deal.
If you find yourself upset, tell Him how you feel.
Ask Him to help you. Let Him know that you want Him to teach you how to be content in life.
You have access to the One who has all of the knowledge and wisdom.
Remember God is a God of order and priorities. He promised that when you seek FIRST the Kingdom, all other things will be added to you.
Thank you for reading this post. My biggest prayer is that Holy Spirit spoke to you through this post and you received what He has said. I want you to remember you’re not alone in this because being content in life is something we all need to learn. God loves you!
This post was all about how to be content in life.
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Before You Go…
A quick recap of how to be content in life through every season:
- Seek Kingdom and righteousness
- Practice your culture codes
- Weigh out the facts
- Keep your motives clean
- Talk to God always
Being content in life through every season is simple. We just have to relearn how to live God’s way. Which tip do you find most helpful? Let’s chat about it in the comments down below.
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Always remember that you’re destined to win because He got up!
-Devyn Janae
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