Larry’s seminary professor bought the BMW of his dreams. The high lasted—about a week. Michael Hyatt’s book made the New York Times Best Sellers list. The thrill lasted—maybe 24 hours. These men’s honesty over their short-lived satisfaction busts the common myth: Contentment means getting what I want.
Looking for Contentment in All the Wrong Places
Since Proverbs 13:12 (NIV) says, “a longing fulfilled is a tree of life,” why didn’t these men’s fulfilled longings bring contentment? Accomplishing dreams brings satisfaction when we’re pursuing the right dreams and aren’t expecting them to provide more than they can deliver. Scripture provides helpful insights on contentment.
The Greek word autarkeia is translated contentment in 1 Timothy 6:6 (NASB) and means “satisfaction with what one has.”[1]:
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.”
The same Greek work is translated sufficiency in 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NASB):
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.”
Here it means “sufficiency of the necessities of life.” [2]
When we believe God supplies all we need (Ps. 23:1), we experience contentment. Knowing our Lord deeply loves us, protects us, and provides for every material, emotional, and spiritual need changes our perception of what we need. When we think we lack some necessity, then even the pleasures and accomplishments we have lose their luster.
I experienced this one wedding anniversary. A 25th anniversary carries certain expectations. We’d watched friends take special trips. Ours arrived at a financially tight time. We couldn’t afford a night away, let alone a week in Europe.
Some friends invited us to share their tickets to a charity ball that fell on our special date. I pictured a fairy tale night. One problem, Cinderella had no dress for the ball. I searched second-hand stores and couldn’t find anything I liked. I felt poor.
Better than a Fairy Godmother
Unexpectedly, someone gave a large donation to our ministry the week before the ball. Larry withdrew some much needed back pay which meant I could afford a new dress!
Now that I no longer felt poor, I no longer cared if I wore a second-hand dress. That donation reminded me God loves me and delights in meeting my needs. I had a wonderful time in a borrowed dress.
Feeling poor created a longing for a new dress. I thought a dress would fill my lack. However, my real need was to know God cared for me. When I felt taken care of and could afford a new dress, I no longer wanted one.
I believe in working for our dreams. However, accomplishments can’t plug a hole in our souls. “But the cheerful heart has a continual feast” (Pro. 15:15 NIV).
Finding Contentment
If you struggle with discontentment, consider these questions:
- Am I feeling poor, unloved, or insignificant?
- Do I tell myself: “When I get ______, then I’ll be content”?
- How would believing God loves me and wants to satisfy me change my perspective?
Be honest with God. Ask Him to fill the empty places and open your eyes to the riches He has for you.
Contentment doesn’t come from getting what we want but from appreciating what we have and knowing God loves us and meets all our needs.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Ps. 34:10 NIV).
Please add your thoughts in the comments.
Contentment doesn’t come from getting what we want but from appreciating what we have and knowing God loves us and meets all our needs. #contentment, #RefreshingFaith Share on XBlessings,
[1] http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G841&t=NASB
[2] Ibid
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#InspireMeMonday, #InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory and here #Recharge Wednesday, #Grace&Truth,
Over the years I have goten into the habit of thanking Him for every little thing throughout the day that goes right or is an answer to prayer or is something I wanted or needed. I know it all comes from Him and it just delights me.
Ann, what a beautiful way to stay connected with our Lord and foster contentment! I know this blesses Him too!
Satan tries to fool us that the next thing will make us happy. But then we need another next thing. Wonderful post!
Yes he does. How wonderful to have a Shepherd who knows and provides our real needs! Thanks, Nancy.
Thank you for this inspiring message. 🙂
Thank you, Melissa!
I’ve seen parents shake their heads in disbelief when their child receives a long-wanted toy, only to want something else within minutes. Yet we adults do the same thing. May we keep our eyes on Him and be content with what He provides.
Barbara, what a good example. And you’re right. Being content with what we have is truly an asset worth pursuing.
I couldn’t help but think of Philippians 4:12 as I read your post Ms. Debbie. Like Paul, I’ve had seasons of plenty and seasons of little. Something I discovered years ago is that the more I have, the more frivolous and wasteful I become. In those seasons in the past, I forgot that God owns 100 percent of whatever I have. If I don’t honor that by how I steward His gifts, then I dishonor Him. I’ve learned that the less I have, the more of it I’m able to give away because He has proven time and time again that I can never out-give or out-love God. Thank you for this inspiring post ma’am. God’s blessings.
J.D., when I’ve traveled to areas of the world that lacked what we take for granted, I was amazed at their generosity. Stuff did not have hold of them. What a lesson.
Our 40th anniversary is upcoming. It’s a pandemic so what I imagined as an appropriate 40th is not possible. I’m intentionally focusing on the blessing. 40 years is huge. The ebbs and flows we have experienced with God on our side is a terrific testimony of his grace and mercy and sustaining power. I could whine and complain but for naught. Being together. Both of us being here to celebrate brings me contentment. We are blessed.
Calvonia, sometimes we have to adjust our expectations. You did that well. Your marriage is a wonderful gift!
I struggle with discontentment at times also. When I compare myself to others I feel discontented but when I focus on the Lord I find myself contented. Thanks for sharing your insights and encouragement.
Sarah, that is such a common trap. Thankfully, we know the way out. And the Lord draws back to Him.
This is a powerful and freeing statement, Debbie, “Contentment doesn’t come from getting what we want but from appreciating what we have and knowing God loves us and meets all our needs.”
Lisa, I’m glad it spoke to you. I believe it’s true.
“When we believe God supplies all we need (Ps. 23:1), we experience contentment. Knowing our Lord deeply loves us, protects us, and provides for every material, emotional, and spiritual need changes our perception of what we need. When we think we lack some necessity, then even the pleasures and accomplishments we have lose their luster.” Oh, I need to remember this. Always it loops back to God.
Always! Thanks, Theresa.
I needed this reminder, Debbie. Thank you for sharing how God’s great love is enough. He will provide what we need. May He continue to bless your ministry of service.
Thank you so much, Katherine!
Oh, if we really understood what would make us happy in the long-term. I’ve heard we are awful at predicting how we’ll feel in the future. Walking with Jesus day by day is where we’re most apt to find our contentment. Thanks for this, Debbie!
Lisa, you’re so right. How many people live to obtain something only to feel empty after they get it?
Even Solomon with all his riches and wives wrote about how all was vanity. Everything except God is futile. Only His Spirit can satisfy a human longing. Thanks for sharing.
Amen! Thanks, Barbara.
“Feeling poor created a longing . . .” This is such a telling statement. I can so easily forget I’m rich in Christ.
Yes, Annie. As James 1:9 says, “Let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position.”