Finding Contentment
This quarantine has been so interesting for me. It’s shown me my weaknesses, my quirks have been highlighted and my level of contentment (or lack thereof) has been on constant display. On every personality test I’ve ever taken, I register as an introvert. I like people, but need a book and a long workout alone to recharge. Without it I typically get agitated. But after three weeks of being stuck in my house I now question everything. Am I actually an extrovert? Surely this can’t be true! It feels like I don’t even know who I am!!! I now crave people when I used to crave being alone. I crave the outdoors, which I typically hate. I used to say, “Give me some AC like God intended.” All of this earth-shattering revelation and insight into who I am has shown me this principle… LACK PRODUCES DESIRE. I desire people like never before, because they’re missing from my daily routines and life. What used to drain me, I now crave. So what do you do when you lack something you desire? When you can’t make it happen or change the circumstance? How do you live with contentment when you can’t control your life?
Paul is a guy who had a lot of lack. He lacked food, sleep, safety and at various times lacked friends and provision. He was in prison, was beaten repeatedly and suffered greatly. But it’s Paul who shows us the secret to living content, no matter what we’re facing.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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.” Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Paul's solution is simple-- We fill our lack with the sufficiency of Christ. When I run to and focus on Jesus, the needs I face and the problems in front of me fade. You see Jesus isn’t just some God off in the distance. He is our ever present help in our times of need. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He sticks closer than a brother. He was there. He is there. He will always be there. You can’t run from Him. There is nowhere you can go where He is not there. When you lack a friend, He is your friend. When you feel anxious, He is your peace. When you feel afraid He is your comfort. There is nothing lacking in our lives that Jesus can’t fill. This doesn't mean He changes every hard thing we face. But it does mean He is with us in the middle of it!
So here’s a couple things you can do to help you fill your lack with Jesus and find the contentment you desire.
#1 Pray More
Paul encouraged us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). This may seem like a crazy idea, but prayer may be different than you’re thinking. Prayer is just a conversation with God. You don’t need to speak in King James English and yell at the sky in order to pray. You don’t need to lock yourself away or get on your knees. Those things are fine if that’s your jam, but it’s not necessary. Just talk to God. Talk to Him often. Talk to Him about everything. Ask Him what’s on His mind. Listen for His voice.
#2 Focus on what you have instead of what you’re missing
It’s easy to look back at what life was a few weeks or months ago and wish we could all go back there. I’ve caught myself doing that at times. But when we stay there, we miss out on the good happening all around us. Take the time to go for a walk and refocus on what you do have. It’s when we choose to enjoy what’s in front of us instead of what’s missing that we find joy!
#3 Make a plan
Boredom is the breeding ground for dysfunction. Don’t let hours of your day just go by without a plan and some purpose. Do the project you’ve been putting off. Paint the room you’ve been wanting to freshen up. Read that book you started, but never finished. Even if the purpose is rest, that’s great! But truly rest, don’t mindlessly scroll. You don’t have to plan every minute, but set 2-3 goals for the day and accomplish those!
#4 Help someone else
My wife and I have a “Life Group” that meets every week. We’ve had to change the format from a meeting in our home to a Zoom call, but we keep meeting. We keep praying for each other. I love this group because we pulled some money together and were able to buy dinner for over 30 nurses and hospital workers. Included with the free meal were cards we all made thanking them for serving our city and being on the front lines of this pandemic. I can’t tell you the joy and contentment we found in doing something for someone else. It made life meaningful. It got our attention off of ourselves. It made someone’s day. You don’t have to do what we did… but do something. Help someone! Don’t worry if you can’t help everyone. Just do for one person what you wish you could do for everyone!