Contentment: More Than ‘Settling’
I’ve learned something about myself: the more I write about GOD’s work in my life, the better I seem to be doing; the less I write, the more I struggle.
And since it’s been nearly three months since my last post… well, you can probably guess how these months have been.
First of all, if you struggle — even when you can’t put your finger on why you feel that way (anxiousness, depression, heaviness overall) — you’re not alone.
Funny as I write this, I feel the flesh trying to poke back. One of the struggles I’ve always had is my post-writing attacks. The flesh and the enemy often like to attack anytime I elevate CHRIST — usually in the form of accusations that I’m not living what I just wrote. Yet the lie is simply this: I never write to show how well I do things, but to declare where my help comes from.
So where to begin after this hiatus? For me, I think Psalm 16.
Many times in my struggles, I’ve clung to JESUS’ beautiful words as my Good Shepherd, who reminds us:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28–30, ESV)
These words bring me much comfort. They remind me of how much striving I often do in my own strength — and how my Good Shepherd is here not just to guide me, but to take on my burdens — namely my sin — and free me from it forever. And this easy yoke is not a trouble-free life - but it keeps us connected to the ONE that leads us through this trouble-filled life.
For those who cling to HIM in this life as the only hope HE is, we can also cling to HIM in the death of ourselves, as the old flesh with all its sin is put away for good. The best part is what comes next: if we are united to HIM in HIS death, we are united to HIM in HIS resurrection and new life — one that begins here and now, and will never end.
Yet sometimes — perhaps often — we must admit that our struggles are self-inflicted. Reading Psalm 16 reminds me of many things, but here are two:
“The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply…”
(Psalm 16:4, ESV)
While it is true that this broken world can bring trials into our lives, we often multiply our own sorrows by chasing after false hope — false gods, temporal things — which were never meant to satisfy.
Our true contentment is found just a couple verses later:
“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.”
(Psalm 16:6, ESV)
This strikes me every time I read it — a great reminder that my “lot in life,” what GOD has allowed, and even the fences HE has placed around me, are good. They guide me, protect me, and should be pleasant to me.
Monday at a men’s group study, we talked about contentment — and how, unlike Paul in Philippians, we often fail to learn contentment in every circumstance:
“…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)
Too often we view contentment as second place: “OK, I know I can’t have what I want, so I guess I need to settle.”
But that’s not the contentment we are called to. We have been given everything in CHRIST JESUS. From our provisions to our lack, all is by design from HIS good hand — to glorify HIM, and to help us enjoy HIM forever, above all else.
So brothers and sisters — may we all strive for true contentment. Not perfect contentment (that will come later), but the right contentment — the contentment that comes first, not second, no matter what life brings. It’s not easy, but it is simple.
This “true” contentment is perhaps my first reflection on a homework assignment: expanding upon Philippians 4:8 —
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true…”
(Philippians 4:8, ESV)
May we all meditate and reflect on what is true… and today, may that truth be true contentment.
What has the LORD been teaching you lately about true contentment? I’d love to hear your reflections.
His,
Matt
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