Many people seem to suffer from discontentment, discouragement and despair. They lack inner peace and find it difficult to find satisfaction in life. It stands to reason. Life has a way of keeping us busy, distracted and engaged in things that bring us down more than build us up.
It’s also frustrating when you suffer disappointment after disappointment, or find yourself missing opportunities or losing things you value. Loneliness can also be a source of discontentment. Positive relationships are a great source of real satisfaction. Be encouraged, though. There is a peace and sense of contentment that comes from the grace of God found through the Holy Spirit.
RELEVANCE
The apostle Paul experienced much adversity. He suffered much hardship that would have brought huge discontment to anybody. He found great satisfaction and contentment by cultivating a deep sensitivity to God. It brought him a sense of contentment he referred to as, “the secret of living in any situation.” It’s a good secret to embrace!
“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:10-13 NLT).
Paul certainly lived through a diverse range of life’s situations. He knew persecution and hardship well. How he found strength, let alone contentment, testified of the power of Jesus Christ working in and through him!
“Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst…” (2 Corinthians 11:25-27).
Such strength is a grace gift of the love of Christ through the Holy Spirit. It’s the most real source of peace, joy and contentment. It’s yours for the asking.
REFLECT AND RELATE
What really provides satisfaction? How can you define satisfaction?
Meditate on the difference between the kind of contentment from God vs. satisfaction that comes from other sources.
Ask the Holy Spirit– your Comforter– to immerse you in His love and real comfort.
REFERENCES
John 14:16-26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Romans 14:17