“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””
~ Hebrews 13:5 ~
Many people suffer with discontentment, even believers in Christ. But what does being discontent actually mean?
Discontentment is the state of being dissatisfied with one’s circumstances; or lack of contentment according to the Oxford Dictionary.
As I reflected on my life I began to realise that my experiences of being discontent began from an early age and this led me to heavily focus on what I didn’t have as opposed to what God had actually blessed me with.
Even recently I found myself revisiting these feelings causing me to become more detached from my church, dissatisfied with my career and life in general. To be honest all of this stemmed from having envisioned a different life for myself at this current stage in my life and believing that I should have been married by now. In my mind if I was married then I would be happy.
As I began to look into this topic and seek God for His guidance I began to develop insight. True happiness is not about what we have, but what God has done for us. Our happiness should be in the Provider, not the provision and in the Giver, not the gifts given to us. Really and truly everything that we have is a gift from God.
The Apostle Paul talks about finding true happiness and contentment that lasts through all walks of life.
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
~ Philippians 4:11-12 ~
Like Paul, a Godly Woman should also be content in any season that she is in. This way she will be able to cultivate a grateful attitude, seek God’s will for her life and trust God’s promises. I believe a woman that is content will surely be rewarded.
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
~ 1 Timothy 6:6-7 ~
How to overcome discontent:
1. Develop an Attitude of Gratitude.
Being discontent can result in us blocking our own blessings. This is because we are not really grateful for what God is doing in our lives.
I have begun to make it my aim to list at least one thing in my life that I am thankful to God for. You should try it too. When you actively give thanks you are doing the will of God.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ~
2. Quit Comparison.
At the beginning of the year I wrote about comparison and how it can sow seeds of discontentment. Comparison can also rob you from joy and can also block God’s blessings in your life. It is important to GUARD YOUR HEART, whether this involves cutting off anything that has led or is leading you to comparison.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
~ Proverbs 4:23 ~
3. Find Satisfaction in Jesus.
True satisfaction comes from knowing God and living according to His plan. We are told in the Bible to hunger and thirst for God in order to be filled. To be filled can also be interpreted as being satisfied.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”
~ Matthew 5:6 ~
I hope this Blog Post has helped if you struggle with discontentment.
Please subscribe for more blog posts from me. I will be writing about friendship in the next couple of weeks.
Stay Blessed and Encouraged
Love Nkay
XxX
18 Comments
I was definitely inspired by this. Thank you for sharing.
No worries Anastasia. Thank you for taking time to read xxx
Great read, thank you for sharing wisdom and keep them coming sis xxx
Awww thank you Deusa. Glad you enjoyed it xxx
This is such a powerful post. So much truth. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
Thank you so much Naomie XxX
insightful. Thanks for sharing
Lol thank you Ade
Amazing read..
Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you Tina xxx
Great blog post xxx
Thank you Monika xxx
Thank you for these encouraging words! Gratefulness is such medicine for the soul, especially when we are feeling discontent. Needed this reminder today 🙂
Thanks for the encouraging post. I know I can often suffer from discontentment as well, and frequently fall into both the comparison trap and not being thankful, even though I’ve written on both of these before. Discontentment and discouragement is something the devil uses as a frequent tool against believers to try to keep them down and make them ineffective. When we fix our eyes on God and remember who He is and His truths, we can look beyond our own circumstances or how others are doing and remember that our hope is in Him.
It wasn’t that long ago I struggled with discontentment, separating me from God, the church, and and some of my closest friends. This article is on point.
Love this 3 step plan to overcome discontentment! It sneaks in so quickly – unobserved until it comes out of my mouth. Thanks for the reminders!
Simple and to the point! I resonate with this so much…it’s what I love encouraging other women in! Thankfulness is absolutely necessary for contentment. Even strong Christians can get stuck fretting about our circumstances. These are timely reminders, sister.
Excellent Read! x