3 Ways to Renew Your Contentment

Do you ever have what my friend Lauren calls a MOMENT?
You know what I mean?
Everything is just “fine” and then you get triggered.

Something hits you sideways and you have a MOMENT.

Maybe you had a Facebook moment when you saw that
you weren’t included in a party or conversation or outing.

Maybe you had a home improvement moment
as you watched all the options HGTV had to offer.

Maybe you had a Pinterest moment when you
tried your best to recreate the image on your computer screen
and it was an unrecognizable failure.

Maybe you had a travel moment when you had high expectations of
Swanky Suites but ended up at Bob’s Sleep Palace?

Maybe it was
your car, or
your house, or
your kids, or
your boss, or
your husband, or
your scale, or
your mirror …
and you just had a MOMENT!

The MOMENT dissolved your contentment.

My MOMENT came at the Tax Guy’s office.
I thought we had a great year, but Tax Guy suggested I find a “real job”.

My Contentment asked my Confidence for a date
and they took off for parts unknown.
The evil twins, Discouragement and Dissatisfaction,
moved in to take their place.

I saw my world through their viewfinder.

My car is rusting.
My house is old.
My bank account isn’t multiplying,
but my weight and wrinkles are!

I’m sure this happens to you, too.

Christians aren’t so different than anyone else.
We have desires and dreams but we get derailed when contentment is lost.

To wrangle contentment back in place,

1. Be thankful.

Make a list of 100 things that you have to be thankful for.

100 things!
I’m issuing the challenge to go beyone 100.
When you consider all you have, the things you don’t have will diminish in necessity.

2. Stop comparing and start cheering!

Many of us lose our contentment –
Not because WE aren’t doing well,
but because others are doing better!

When I have a MOMENT due to comparisons,
I deliberately choose to cheer for the object of my comparison.
Being outwardly focused alleviates the angst.

3. Rewrite the story.

Look at what is going right or moderately well or mostly okay and focus on that.
I may not have been invited on the Today show.
I didn’t hit bestseller on the New York Times, so Tax Guy called me a failure.

My bottom line may be thin, but I am in the center of God’s will and loving it.
I get to tell thousands of women about Jesus’s offer of redemption.
I get to disciple lots of women to a better view of themselves and a deeper connection with their Creator.

I know my calling and I trust my Caller.

Being content doesn’t mean settling for less than God has for you.
It doesn’t mean tolerating sin or abuse toward you.
If change for the better is within your grasp, go for it!

Contend for more!

But if you’re stuck (for the moment or the season) where you are,
Then be content till change is at hand.

Scripture Refresher: And Paul says, “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  Philippines 4:10-13

Prayer: God, Teach me the difference between contentment and complacency. Show me when to settle in and when to contend at all cost.  Guide me as only you can to peace. Amen.