“What are your plans if the house sells quickly?”
This question is asked of us nearly every day since our house went on the market. We always respond with a smile and a shrug.
”We don’t know.”
The answer rolls off our tongue easily, but the weight of the question bears down just a little more each time. We don’t know. We are trusting God. We are taking it day by day. We are trying to be content and confident – waiting on the Lord.
But the question – the world – begs us to be anxious, fearful, discontent.
“I have learned the secret of being content whatever the circumstances.”
Philippians 4:11
The word “content” in Greek is autárkēs and it means self-sufficient because of the indwelling power of God. His power in me enables me to be content. I have what I need. I am okay. I am not in trouble.
I am God-sufficient.
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
I can remain content (God-sufficient) through any situation and even suffering through the power of God that dwells in me.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
I can remain content (satisfied and confident) because I am not dependent on my own strength or on my circumstances. It is God’s power that provides the strength I need.
Did that seem repetitive? I need the repetition – the reminder – the assurance!
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3
When I am discontent (not satisfied or confident) it is because I feel I am lacking something. God reminds us that we have everything we need for a godly life – through our knowledge of Him.
When I find my soul growing discontent from the world‘s questions, I can ask myself these questions:
1. Am I lacking something I need to live a godly life – or is what I am lacking an earthly desire?
This is often a tough one to answer. Is my lack something I need or something I want? How can the lack I feel connect me even more deeply with the One who provides? Can I lean in more fully? Can I trust Him more? Can I learn to wait in Him? Can I practice obedience in the midst of suffering? Can I learn to be content (satisfied and confident) in His sufficiency?
2. Do I really know God and understand His power?
My discontent often stems from worry – and worry stems from lack of trust. Though my circumstances may seem out of control or hopeless, God, who is all-powerful, is still reigning and ruling and has not lost control. I love this biblically-based statement that Emily P. Freeman often recites from her friend and author, James Bryan Smith.
“I am one in whom Christ dwells and delights. I live in the unshakeable kingdom of God. The kingdom is not in trouble, and neither am I.”
James Bryan Smith
When I find my soul discontented, I need to remind my soul that I know who God is and I believe that He has all that I need.
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
Psalm 62:5 (NLT)
3. Am I trusting that God will provide for my needs?
This has been an important question for me lately. When I recognize the restless impatience growing inside of me, I know that it is a waning trust. Here is how I combat that emotion:
I name it. I call it what it is and then I call it out. I stop the doubt and worry in its tracks.
I ask for help. I call upon the power of God within me to change my heart and mind.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
I rename it. “Lord I put my trust in you.” I choose to proclaim the truth even when I don’t feel it.
I act on it. I choose to live according to what I believe!
4. Am I living in a way that demonstrates that trust by learning to be content?
What does it look like to live according to what I believe? I wish it looked effortless and easy, but – for me – its a little more like stumbling and scrambling along a rocky path grabbing for whatever I can hold onto. My flesh wants to worry, my mind wanders off the trail, my heart is nearly always faint. But I cling to the truth and God hems me in and compels me forward. Each step further strengthens me and teaches me to trust Him more.
My fervent hope is that those walking just a bit behind might draw encouragement from watching the work God does in my life and that they might learn to walk in His power too.
Is your soul discontent? Is the world asking you questions that beg you to be anxious? Ask yourself these questions instead and remind your soul that God is good!
“Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”Psalm 103:1-5