He is All I Need: Embracing Contentment in God’s Provision
Have you ever said, “Life would be much better if [fill in the blank] would happen?” Or, “If I just had [fill in the blank], my life would be so much easier.” While there is nothing wrong with desiring a better life, we must be careful not to let that desire lead to discontentment with life as it is now.
We’ve all experienced discontentment at some point in our lives. Whether it’s our job, home, relationships, or situations in life, we can always find something to be discontented with. That discontentment can lead us away from God and cause us to rely on someone or something else to fill the void we perceive in our lives. If we allow it, though, discontentment can sometimes move us closer to God. Sometimes, He ordains our discontentment to refine and align us with His plan. Such as when we feel our spiritual growth is lacking. However, trouble arises when we hang onto feelings of discontentment and look to other people or things to satisfy us.
The Lord is at work in my heart about this very thing. He has exposed some areas of my life to reveal my discontent. He has shown me that my heart is not always wholly His. I’m looking to other people and things to fill needs only God can fill. It is not lost on me that this time of conviction and pruning is occurring just after I finished the last class I needed to graduate with a seminary degree. I’ve completed two years of studying theology and will be able to use what I’ve learned to minister to women in various settings. I believe the Lord is showing me that I need to deal with some things in my heart and be wholeheartedly devoted to Him to serve Him well.
Typically, I’m not particularly eager to write about something I’m going through until I’ve made it to the other side and have nice, tidy application points to share. However, I feel God is leading me to share what I’m learning along my journey to contentment. I don’t know how long this will take. I don’t plan to write about it every week, yet I do want to make it a habit of sharing what I learn as appropriate. And I know that discontentment does not just magically go away. Like other aspects of the Christian life, being content requires a daily intention to stay that way. It does not take much for us to become discontented. Therefore, we must remain grounded in God’s Word and be on guard when discontent arises.
The picture you see above is one I took on our recent vacation to England at a castle in the Cotswolds. While we walked around the castle, I could hear the sheep bleating. I just had to find them, and find them I did. When I look at this picture, all I can think is He is all I need. No person, place, or thing will ever replace what God, through His Son Jesus, can provide for me. And the sooner I learn it, the quicker peace will reign in my life.
I don’t want to leave you hanging without encouragement if you are facing discontentment in an area of your life. I don’t have a three-step plan to help you become content with your life. However, there is a step you can take right now to begin the journey to contentment…Admit to God your discontentment and any reasons you think are causing it.
The Psalms are a great place to start. The Psalmists poured out their honest emotions before the Lord, holding nothing back. God wants to hear our frustrations, concerns, and disappointments. He stands ready to show how He can meet all our needs regardless of the situation.
Psalm 73 expresses the Psalmist’s frustration over people prospering who were not dedicated to God. As the Psalm progresses, his attitude turns to praise and an acknowledgment that God is his strength and portion forever. I encourage you to read this Psalm as you pour out your heart to God about your discontent.
If this post encourages you, share it with a friend!