The Battle of Discontentment

Discontentment: A restless longing for better circumstances. This is the very first sin in the bible; Adam and Eve wanted something more. Satan told Eve that if she ate from the tree, that God had told her not to eat from, then she would be “like God.” Once the serpent told her that she could have “better,” Eve was dissatisfied and chose to sin against God.

I had never thought of the story in this light. I always thought the first sin was disobedience, but when you dig down to the root of the story, the first sin was from a human character: Discontentment.

When I think about my life and all the sins I am guilty of, I am confident that 99% of them are connected to my personal dissatisfaction or lack of contentment. I can almost hear myself saying “If I only had_____, I think I would be satisfied.” When I let myself believe that lie, Satan has won! I am failing to trust in Christ and I have indirectly said, “Lord, you are not enough.”

Psalm 84:10-12

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in you!

This verse says- the Lord withholds NO good thing! Meaning all that is good, He has provided/given to me. There is nothing I am lacking because I have Him and He is all I need! If I truly believed that, truly lived under this lens how different would my life be? I would be completely satisfied! God wants me to start thanking Him for all the good things in my life instead of complaining about the things I am “lacking.”

1John 2: 15-17

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

What do I long for? Is this longing from the Lord or is a fleshly desire?

Psalm 37-  Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

I hear this verse so often. There are times I find it encouraging and other times I am in disbelief. I think the reason for these opposing reactions is due to my lack of understanding. This verse does not say: “Laura, if you do what the bible says and act like a good Christian girl… then… you will find a husband, become wealthy, look like a model, and have a thousand friends.” No No NO… I think it is safe to say I am not alone in this interpretation (Do good/ Praise Jesus, and you will be rewarded) What this verse actually means is- Delight yourself in the Lord (Develop a personal relationship with Christ) and He (Christ) will be all you ever want/need! If I am truly delighting in the Lord, no earthly thing even compares to Him!

Godly relationships, successful careers, & good looks are not bad things, but they CANNOT be the main focus of my life. These things will NEVER make me content.

Philippians 4: 11-14

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be ^[content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

The popular verse, Philippians 4:13, is not talking about becoming a professional athlete or the president of the United States, it is talking about being content!!! WOW. Paul wrote this when he was going through unbearable circumstances. He chose to be content no matter what happened to him because he knew where he was ultimately going and that until then, He had Jesus!! Omg when I think about this it gives me chills. The bible tells me that contentment is one of the most difficult challenges, If not the most difficult challenge, that we as Christians face! I am not alone and I should not feel guilty for struggling with this issue, but I do need to ask for the Lord’s help. I need to trust God and allow Him to be my contentment.

Today my challenge to you is this, stop… take a few minutes and thank God for all the good things in your life & ask Him to be enough. Only He can fill/ replace all our humanly desires.