Contentment

As I was out today I was so thankful for the breeze that greeted me as I walked out of the grocery store. Even though it was still 86°, the weather is slowly cooling. I am thankful another summer is over. I started thinking about how much I miss the ability to drive to the beach at Ventura, and I felt my old foe discontentment creeping in. Perhaps you've met him. He's the one who reminds you of the "good old days". Remember when the babies were little, and we lived in that awesome neighborhood? Remember when life was less complicated? Remember when we didn't fight which each over vaccines? Remember when...He also likes to cause us to envy when our friends are off on a fun vacation or they live somewhere less oppressive (political, weather-wise, whatever 🙄). He tells us that life will be better when our kids are older, and we don't have to deal with their sin issues. He tells us life was better when they were under our roof, and we could protect them. We want it every which way, but the simple truth is we are discontent. 

There are some things we should yearn for: Christ's return, for example. And some things we can miss like loved ones who have moved away or passed on. Life is going to be full of disappointment and tears. It is the nature of life in a fallen world, and it increases our desire for the new earth all the more. This is not the discontentment I speak of.

Sinful discontentment leads us to question God's motives. It entertains the idea that God has made a mistake or worse that His plan is not good. Christian, as painful as life may be at the moment, God is good and all He does is good. He will work whatever adversity that plagues you out for your good and His glory. Perhaps life did seem easier 10 years ago, but God loves us too much to keep us idle. He is always sanctifying, always doing what is best for us. It might not feel good, but remember that He is good, and He cannot do evil. If He feels far, be assured that He is not. Cry out to Him. Seek Him in His Word. Cling to His promises when all else falls apart. 

Don't wish for another set of circumstances. Ask Him for wisdom in whatever situation you are in. Trust in His goodness and sovereignty. Be content in Him. This world will not satisfy. Only He will. 

"What shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:31-32