Content in Discontent?

I may not know every person who will read this, but I can bet that we all have something in common: We like for people to agree with us.  We like positive comments and words of affirmation, facebook “likes”, a thumbs up, or anyone who will sympathize with us.  (I hope you agree.)

Recently I was telling a few friends about a rough day with the kids, and how I struggle with wanting to really invest in them, but also be able to focus on a new journey I’m on personally.  What I wanted all my friends to say is, “Oh, Sweetie, I totally understand.  Poor you.  You just have it tough right now.”

And of course they all sympathized with me, but one friend had the guts to tell me something I didn’t really want to hear.  She said,

“We’re never really satisfied with where we are; we’re always going to want the next thing.”  

And to be honest, my first inner reaction was to be defensive- to shut out the comment, because how dare someone rain on my pity-party-parade?

But as I let the words sink in, I knew there was truth there.  Sometimes we need to pay the MOST attention to the advice we LEAST want to hear.

Proverbs !2:1 says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”

Yeesh.  That’s blunt.  If we’re too quick to dismiss a word of correction, we’re stupid.  Not my words, people.

Later in 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Paul says that people “will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 

Do I really want to be someone who wants to hear nice things so badly that I’ll turn away from truth and only listen to what sounds good to my ears?  Absolutely not.

But if I listen to criticism, how can I be sure it’s wisdom and not just negativity?

We have to take everything back to God.  We don’t have to listen to someone simply because they disagree with us- but we should pay attention to correction.  If someone is speaking in line with God’s word, that truth will become evident because it lines up with the Bible.

So let me go back to my friend’s statement: “We’re never really satisfied with where we are; we’re always going to want the next thing.”  

I didn’t want that to be me.  I wanted to believe that because God put a dream on my heart, it was OK to feel discontent with my current situation with my kids needing so much of my time.  She was trying to tell me that I should be content with today and, frankly, I didn’t want to hear it.

But here is what God says:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

God’s will is that I’m always thankful. It’s OK to have a rough day or struggle with my role, but a thankfulness implies accepting and being content with the circumstances of today. Period.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Life is about seasons.  God gives one now and another later. To acknowledge that is to embrace everything my current season (with young kids) has to offer, as there are things about this season that I will have to give up in the next.  I shouldn’t try to shake off this season before it’s time, or force my way into a season I’m not ready for yet.*

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3) 

If I’m committing my steps to God, I have to trust in Him and His timing.  This doesn’t mean I can’t dream- quite the opposite, committing my plans to God is actively laying them before Him.  But He will establish them and that’s where I need to be content and wait on Him.

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

This last verse reminded me that, while it’s OK to long for or seek more of what God may have for me, my ultimate delight and contentment should come from Him before circumstances.  I can wrestle with my circumstances but still be content simply in knowing Jesus.

I guess it’s the tension of being Content in Discontent: embracing today while actively pursuing what God has for tomorrow.  And I might have missed that if it weren’t for an honest friend.

*If you want to hear more about the idea of God using seasons in our lives, I was challenged and inspired by a video by Stephanie Strong called, “It’s Not Time Yet!”  Check out her video below, or visit her website: http://www.presencewithpurpose.net.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-pJwNsERjs