What Deters Contentment

Do you mind doing a short exercise with me?

Okay, take a deep inhale in through your nose and deep exhale out through your mouth.

Now, try to imagine there is no one else in the world. I know that may sound immensely lonely but just picture it. You don’t know anyone else’s income, don’t know anyone else’s relationship status, don’t know how many kids anyone else has, don’t know how skilled others are at things, and you don’t know what weight others have.

How would your life look if you didn’t have any of that information about anyone else?

What would you feel about your life if that were the case?

Take a minute here to actually think about that scenario and question.

Now, take another deep breath and a deep exhale out.

What came up for you when thinking about your life? When you thought about it, was it in comparison to anyone or anything? It shouldn’t have been because the scenario excluded humanity. Now, humanity is important and beautiful so we don’t want that scenario to actually be real or exist. But the setting and questions are a tool to help you see how content you are versus how content you potentially can be. It also helps you see that comparison mainly comes from knowledge. We only compare our circumstances to others because we have access to knowledge about them and their circumstances - or at least the information they allow us to have access to. Because no matter how well you know someone - you don’t know everything. And no matter how long you’ve been following someone on Instagram - you actually don’t know their true life in retrospect.

This is why it’s so important to enter into the set-apart life God has invited us to. s a n c t i f i c a t i o n .

To live in the upside-down kingdom. To love the world but not be of it.

To accept God’s abundance over what the world defines as abundant.

John 10:10 says “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (CSB). This is Jesus talking. Reminding us and trying to tell us what the enemy’s agenda is and what is His.

Abundance means God is a provider. He will always provide for you - which means you don’t need to hustle, chase, or beg what’s for you. Can I get an amen or should I repeat that?

YOU DON’T NEED TO HUSTLE, CHASE, OR BEG WHAT’S FOR YOU.

But you know what? not everything that is for us feels or seems good. That’s where lament comes in.

When I was pregnant, I was encouraged to write a dream labor and delivery. I don’t regret doing it but when I tell you NOTHING in that dream birth came to pass. So, I lament. I lament what I wish and desired could have been but while praising God for what came to be and was for me because it meant that my son and I are here today, healthy and alive.

God doesn’t expect us all to just wander around grateful all the time. He understands lament - Jesus experienced and felt it. He understands pain and suffering - Jesus felt that too. If you ever doubt how honest you can be with God, go to the book of Psalm and see how David communicated with God. Same goes for Job in the book of Job.

Now let’s talk about what the Bible directly says about abundance and contentment….

Philippians 4: 13 says “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (ESV)

This scripture is taken WAYYYYY too out of context. You’ll often find it on mugs and splattered on the cover of a cute journal at tjmaxx but the context is not what we think it is.

Now, Philippians 4:12 to 13 says this, “12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (ESV)

Paul is stating that in every circumstance he faces He acknowledges that He can face anything and all things because God strengthens Him. He’s stating that the secret of both feelings like you don’t have enough or having it all is still always to rely on God’s strength. To rely on God’s strength in every circumstance.

You feel like you don’t have enough? Rely on God’s strength.

You feel like others are moving ahead of you? Rely on God’s strength.

You feel like you’re stuck in the same place as always? Rely on God’s strength.

You feel like you’re not enough? Rely on God’s strength.

You feel like if something were different then your life would be better? Rely on God’s strength.

Now, again try to imagine another scenario. You know everyone’s business in the world - their income, their weight, their sins, their victories, etc. - will you still choose contentment? Will you choose to believe what God has given you is enough despite what others have? Will you choose to believe God has already given you YOUR abundant life despite feeling like there’s lack in your life? Will you choose to see the path God has you on despite wanting to be on the path others are on?

Your story is yours and it’s filled with abundance. Don’t get distracted by coveting other people’s abundance.

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Wonder - I invite you to truly wonder about the scenario I gave you above. If you sat in that thought for a while I wonder what would come up for you? How would you begin to live or think differently? Would your generosity change? Would your gratitude change? What would be different in your life if you were content with who you are and what you’ve been given?

Worth - Comparison often invites us to a dark place of feeling like we aren’t ‘worthy’ of getting the things we want and desire. And although we aren’t deserving of good, because of our sin, that doesn’t mean we won’t get good. In this case - t’s not a matter of our worth but a matter of God’s heart for you.

His Word - I would encourage you to think through other scriptures you may have read like Philippians 4:13 that are often shared but perhaps out of context and see what more you can learn from it when reading it in context.

Notice God’s Goodness - Whenever I feel a scarcity mindset and find comparison trying to poison my mind I turn to Psalm 23 and I remember God. I remember His goodness, provision, and peace through those words.

Here’s TWO FREE resources to help you navigate this topic further!