Hello my lovely readers! Have you ever struggled with discontentment? In this post, we’ll dig into what true contentment means and the danger of discontentment. Learn what’s keeping you from contentment and two little-known secrets to being content today.

Read on for what God’s been teaching me about the lost art of contentment.

First, be honest. Are you content?

At first blush, you might be tempted to say, “Of course I’m content! God has given me a lot and I’m happy with what I have. I wouldn’t change a thing.” But, I would encourage you to probe your heart a little deeper.

Here are some questions to consider…

• Am I content with my family and friends?
• Am I content with being single (or being in this relationship)?
• Am I content with my job, coworkers, and supervisors?
• Am I content with my body and the physical appearance God gave me?
• Am I content with my gifts and abilities, my strengths and weaknesses?
• Am I content with the place I live and the church I attend?

Too often, the enemy plants a little seedling of discontentment in our hearts.

We are not quite happy – not fully satisfied – but can never quite put our finger on it.

Instead, we may think, “Once I get that job, or that boyfriend, or that gorgeous new outfit, THEN I will be happy.”

Let me share a closely guarded secret with you.

Contentment is not based on circumstances.

Mic drop.

Before they fell, the fallen angels had heaven itself to dwell in and the immediate presence and favor of God; but they were not content. Adam and Eve had the Garden of Eden to live in with a free grant of everything in it excepting one tree; but they were not content.

J. C. Ryle

If Adam and Eve were discontent in the most perfect of environments, then contentment is obviously not based on environment.

It’s based on a heart choice.

The danger of discontentment

Now, you might be thinking, “Discontentment really isn’t that bad. It just means I want more – and better!”

But there is a difference between ambition and discontentment.

Ambition means working hard for things I am responsible for.

A content person with ambition says, “I want more, and I’m willing to work for it. But I’m also thankful for what I have now.”

Discontentment means being upset with what God has given me – the things beyond my control.

A discontent person says, “I deserve better. This isn’t fair. Why do they get to have that while I don’t?”

Discontentment is so dangerous because it makes our heart a fertile field for other sins. Take a look at Hebrews 12:15-17. Esau was discontent and unthankful for his blessings. And that led him into serious sin and losing God’s blessings.

If you harbor discontentment in your heart, you may soon find yourself doing sins that you would never have dreamed of doing before. It’s a poison, and you need to extract every bit out of your heart!

What is true contentment?

I didn’t think I was discontent until I read one Christian’s definition of contentment.

contentment (n.): a deep satisfaction with the will of God

And that hit me right between the eyes. Even though I wasn’t grumbling or complaining, in my heart of hearts, I was NOT deeply satisfied with God’s will. I was discontent with being single.

In order to be content, I had to decide to be satisfied with this season of life.

To be content. To give thanks.

And, when I did that, my whole perspective changed.

God is teaching me to enjoy life right now and to find my contentment in Him. And I don’t have to have a boyfriend or husband to be content. I can be content and satisfied in Christ. And I am learning to do that more each day!

How to be content

Contentment is a heart choice. You can be discontent in the most beautiful Eden or content in the darkest dungeon.

Step 1: Lower expectations.

Much discontentment comes because we want something that does not happen.
However, a wise man named Jeremiah Burroughs explained the secret of contentment. He called it subtraction.

“A Christian comes to contentment, not so much by way of addition, as by way of subtraction…not by adding more to his condition; but rather by subtracting from his desires, so as to make his desires and his circumstances even and equal.”

Jeremiah Burroughs (The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment)

If I am being discontent, I could say, “I need a boyfriend to be happy. I deserve a boyfriend! And I’m NOT going to be happy until I get one.”

But, if I want to be content, then I should say, “Singleness is a gift (just as marriage is). I am going to enjoy it thoroughly and be happy right here, right now.”

I can still desire a boyfriend, but I am definitely not waiting until I get one to be happy!

What do we actually need to be content? Paul says we need just two things –

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

1 Timothy 6:7

If you have food and clothing, then you have enough to be content. In North America, most of us have more clothes than we can wear – and even more to eat!

Let’s reduce our desires and learn to want what we have. Then, we can be truly content.

Step 2: More gratitude.

After we have lowered our expectations, then we are in the right headspace to give thanks.

The more we practice thanking God and others, the happier we will be.

To be content, start by looking to Jesus. He is the Fountain of our contentment, the Source of all that our hearts desire. The psalmist writes…

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.”

Psalm 36:7-8

Thank God for His character, His promises, and all that He has done for you. Thank Him for the thousand little blessings of every day.

Learn to thank Him even for the hard things in your life. As you do so, your contentment will grow deep roots.

One of my favorite hymns speaks of the place where we find true contentment. On this side of Heaven, we can only experience it spiritually. But one day, we will experience this place in all its splendor. What a day that will be!

“There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God.
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee,
near to the heart of God.”
-Cleland McAfee, “Near to the Heart of God”

Recommended Reading:

Learning Contentment (Nancy Wilson) – I’m reading this book right now and it is terribly practical and convicting and inspiring all at the same time!
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Jeremiah Burroughs) – on my TBR list!

Let’s Chat:

Have you ever struggled with discontentment? If so, what did God teach you through it? God has been teaching me to lower my desires, to want what I have, and to give thanks. It’s not always easy, but I am learning to be satisfied in His will. He is so good to me!

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