If I had to put my finger on the pulse of the biggest spiritual battle in my life right now, it would be the battle for contentment. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, I find myself grumbling and complaining at what I perceive to be struggles, scarcity, and stale routine. Like Eve in Eden, I'm blind to the lavish garden of blessings all around. The enemy whispers in my ear, and in doubt I'm grasping for more than what my generous God has given me.
Discontentment is a formidable foe—it destroys our joy, dampens our witness, dismantles our gratitude and derails our submission to God's will. When the enemy's fiery arrow of discontent strikes our hearts, its flame swallows up faith in the goodness of our Father. We are left fearfully fighting for what we feel we are entitled to, rather than joyfully accepting God's will for us in all circumstances.
As I write these words, I find myself desperate for the soul contentment found solely in God...and I'm probably not the only one. Maybe, like me, you've also realized that what you need most is not a different set of circumstances, or a bigger bank account, or a change in scenery, or a clean bill of health, or more cooperative people in your life, but rather a deeper satisfaction in God alone! And perhaps, like me, you're not exactly sure how to stir those affections in your heart.
Thankfully, God's Word speaks volumes to the dissatisfied and disquieted. In his epistle to the Philippians, the apostle Paul talks about the secret of being content "in any and every situation" (Philippians 4:12). The entire letter rings with Paul's joy and confidence, his satisfaction in God even in the midst of imprisonment (1:13). We, too, can be brought low and abound; we can face the good times and the bad because God has disclosed for us the secret of contentment.
If we want to quiet our grumbling hearts and "shine like stars in the sky," we must "hold fast to the word of life" (Philippians 2:14–16). If we want to know the strength that can face all things, we must know Him who strengthens us (4:13). In His Word, God gives us many promises to battle lack of contentment; they pour forth from the Scriptures like a sweet succor to our soldiering souls!
Jesus' preaching, teaching and healing overturned the false notion that if it goes ill with us here on earth, if we are sorrowful and struggling, then this must mean we have earned God's disapproval. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:3–5). With these words, Christ aims to tear false contentment in earthly comforts from our hearts. Health, wealth and prosperity have long been among the greatest hindrances to faith (Mark 10:25; Matthew 6:24). By them the worldly measure their success, but in truth they are shallow measures of what it truly means to be blessed.
God's Word teaches us not to look at the outward appearance of things, but to consider the unseen realities (2 Corinthians 4:18, 5:7). One may be poor and another wealthy, one sick and another well, one depressed and another happy, one helpless and another powerful, but it is the state of a person's soul that is the chief indicator of their blessedness. The gospel both dethrones the good times and normalizes the bad that we might not judge the state of our souls by circumstance. Here, true contentment begins!
Paul confidently asserts as much when he points to the security, not of our temporal state, but of our eternal destiny as a source of joy and gratitude: "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you...making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel...And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:3–6). If we desire contentment even in the midst of dire situations, we must learn to look beyond our immediate circumstances to the eternal reality promised to us by God in His Word!
But what about when our suffering isn't just happenstance, but is a direct result of our commitment to the Lord? What if the way of obedience, rather than affording us a pleasant and easy journey, is fraught with distress and hardship and loss? Are peace and comfort beyond our reach when we feel it is because of God they have been snatched away?
Again, Christ encourages us: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven..." (Matthew 5:10–12). God promises that all the pain of obedience will be fully repaid in the life to come. If we can adopt the mind of Christ now, humbling and emptying ourselves, serving others, and being obedient even to the point of death (Philippians 2:5–8), then God shall lift us up with Him in due time (1 Peter 5:6). Contentment that fuels obedience is found by looking ahead to our heavenly reward.
Maybe you are assured in your salvation and striving for obedience, but for some reason you're continually running into setbacks. Health problems. Financial strain. Emotional stress. Relational heartache. You think to yourself, If God would just remove these roadblocks, then I could really flourish and bring glory to His name! But once again, the things we think make for peace are seldom what they seem.
Jesus tells us, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14–16). The thing about light is it's used in the midst of darkness. Nobody turns on a lamp in broad daylight; it's when night falls that we need light the most.
God promises us that all things, not just pleasant things, work together for our good (Romans 8:28). Moreover, our afflictions often serve to spotlight the work of the gospel in our lives to those who are watching. Paul assured the Philippians that his imprisonment (arguably a huge setback) actually served to advance the gospel among the imperial guard and embolden other believers to speak the word fearlessly (Philippians 1:12–14). True contentment shines brightest when displayed against the darkness of undesirable circumstances. We must, therefore, consider our struggles and setbacks as the stand on which the light of the gospel is set for the good of the entire household!
Finally, as we persevere through trials and temptations (Hebrews 10:32–36), as we tread the narrow path (Matthew 7:13–14), as we run the race with our eyes fixed on the heavenly prize (Hebrews 12:1–3), we will continue to learn, as Paul did, the contentment of counting everything as loss for the sake of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7–8). Though we will not be perfectly content in this life, we can, by grace, leave the past behind and press on toward the goal: Christ Himself (3:12–14). Indeed, He is our inestimable treasure, our soul's comfort, both in this life and the life to come.
We may mingle mourning with our laughter, and tears with our consolation; we may wail and grieve with holy dissatisfaction in this world, but we are marked for life (Ezekiel 9:4). Christ has, alongside the promise of trouble, given us the pledge of His peace (John 16:33). True contentment, therefore, lies not in constant joy and pleasure, nor in the carefree confidence of health and material abundance, but in God alone—His salvation, His promises, and His love and grace for us in Jesus Christ!
Father, I confess that discontentment has made me bitter and ungrateful. It makes me a poor witness and drives me to grasp for things outside of Your will for me. Help me cling to Your word—the word of life!—as my source of true contentment. May I seek the joy of Your promises, the encouragement of Your reward, and the comfort of Your sovereignty in all circumstances. Guide me in the path of Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and teach me the contentment of treasuring Christ above all things! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions
- How has discontentment with life circumstances affected your faith, either recently or in the past?
- What false comforts do you tend to turn to in place of God alone?
- Have you ever felt like you lacked God’s love or approval because of certain struggles? How do Christ’s words in the Beatitudes help reorient your thinking about this particular area?
- Has anyone ever noticed your “light” in the midst of dark times? How did this affect your witness?
- What are some daily practical steps you can take to seek contentment in Christ alone?