Devotions based on week 11 of Joy in the Journey: Contentment (WATCH HERE)
Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Secret #1: Repent of Discontent
Learning to be content means to first recognize what leads me to be discontent. Just like learning to play a sport and become more proficient at it necessitates a coach pointing out what is getting in the way of you improving. So, if we are to learn the secret to contentment, we must recognize the barriers to contentment and repent of discontent. Stop the habits of our heart that causes discontent and allow our heart to be led by God’s Spirit into contentment.
Reflect on these four things. All of them are indicators of discontent in our hearts:
First, is your heart captivated by material things? Perhaps at first read, your reaction is “No.” Great…however, let’s look a bit deeper. Do you find yourself unsettled by what you make at work and often think about making more? Do you find yourself being anxious about financial things and find it hard to stop that worry? Do you scroll social media and become fixed on what you wish you could buy or experience? These are just some of the symptoms of discontent. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Second, do you find yourself tempted to dishonesty to gain materially? This doesn’t mean just outright stealing, but it may mean taking a few things from work because they “owe” you for extra time you put in. You maybe tempted to fib on a performance review, or unnecessarily speak against a coworker to gain a raise. Maybe you engage in a shady business deal to make more money or are tempted to overstate the work you actually did. It’s time to repent like John the Baptist called soldiers to repent from extortion: Luke 3:14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” [John the Baptist] replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
Third, do you find yourself compromising your faith or the nurture of it to pursue material gain? Again, our quick response might be “No! Of course not!” However, is it a temptation to not spend time in the word because you have to get to work early? Do you take a promotion that takes you away from church most Sundays? Do you have to work so long that you have little time to nurture your family in the Word? A heart after money fails to be a heart after the Lord! Paul wrote to Timothy, 1 Timothy 6:10 Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Finally, do you find yourself discontent with how others perceive you? Do you find yourself chasing a status, a “like,” or the approval of people? Do you feel “less than” if the right people don’t give you accolades or recognition? Do you find yourself expending a lot of effort to please people, but feeling like it’s an impossible task? You might be discontent because you don’t have the status you think you should have. Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
It’s time to repent of all the things in your heart that cause discontent. Remember this truth: Stuff and status don’t satisfy.
Repent of discontent is secret number one to finding contentment!
Apply: Search your heart today. Which of the four things above resonantes as an issue in your heart? Take time today to repent. Confess your sin and turn from it and to your Savior. In him you have all you need!
Prayer: Forgive me for my discontent and all the ways my heart is captivated by stuff and status. Lead me away from a love of stuff to a greater love for you. Lead me to trust that I can turn from the sin of discontent to find contentment in your grace. AMEN.