Everyone has those days and maybe even those seasons in our lives where we feel discontent with the things we have, where we are at in life, and maybe with ourselves. Whatever the case may be, and whatever the reason we may feel discontent, it is so important to strengthen ourselves in God and find contentment in every season. Here are seven ways to find content in every season:
Hebrews 13:5b … “Be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’”
-NLT
#1- Pray, Meditate, & Fast
This world can easily take our focus away from God, the one who should truly have our attention, that is why it is so important to pray. God already knows how you feel, but what good is it for you to hold onto what you’re feeling instead of giving it to God, the only one who can help you. It can be so easy and dangerous to try to fill ourselves up with the things of this world, and sometimes you don’t even realize that’s what we’ve been doing until we are in it so deep. Let us not fill ourselves with the things of this world, but focus on heavenly things. (Colossians 3:2) It is also important to meditate on God’s word, and I’m also going to say to speak God’s word out loud, especially during spiritual warfare (this is how we overcome). Meditation is not a bad word. The world teaches to empty your mind, but as Christians we must fill our minds with God’s word. Fasting is also important. I went on a fast from food, which was something I never really was able to do. Food had such a stronghold on my life, especially having a medical condition (anemia) it’s so easy to use food as an ‘excuse’ not to fast, but God’s word says that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13) and I really needed His strength. I was discouraged, discontent, and lacking strength. During this fast instead of trying to put a veil to cover what I was feeling, I was able to finally surrender how I was truly feeling, and this is where God revealed to me that I was being gluttonous (greedy in overindulging food). I was absolutely shocked that I even got to that point, it had gotten to a point where I didn’t even realize that was what I was doing because of my own ignorance. I immediately repented after feeling the guilt of what I had done. When you Pray, Meditate, and Fast, ask God to remove any spiritual blindness and deafness you may have, and when you do be open to listen to what God is telling you. This was something I was obviously oblivious to because I didn’t want to change at the time, which eventually began to hinder my relationship with God–until I finally let go and gave it to God.
2 Chronicles 7:14, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
-NLT
#2- Enjoy the Little Things
Ever since I was a kid, I have always had a love for drawing and painting. I especially love to paint. In highschool I took art classes and it really helped me embrace my creative side. It had been a while since I last painted because of the cost of supplies for a canvas and paint. I have no excuse for drawing because I know I have a sketchbook…somewhere. Recently I started drawing again. I’ve really learned (and still learning) to just embrace my own company. It was just me, God, and my drawing. I went to the park, sat outside on a bench in the beautiful weather, played worship music, and drew a picture. During this time I really felt God’s presence with me, as I was drawing and listening to music. I felt so much peace. I also like reading books. We all have a busy schedule, but these are things that you make time for, just as much as we need to make time to spend with God. Enjoy the little things that you actually enjoy doing. For some, maybe cooking is what you love to do, reading a book or maybe it’s hunting or fishing. What activity did you love to do that you still enjoy doing now?
1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
-ESV
#3- Serve the Church
John 13:12-17, “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (ESV)
Matthew 20:28, “…even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
-ESV
There are many different ways that we can serve the church. Which can range from preaching the message, or even scrubbing the toilets. Not everyone has the ability to do certain tasks, that is why everyone has their own function in the body of Christ (Romans 12:4-5). What someone else may be really good at, you may be terrible at doing. Never compare yourself to what other people are doing in ministry, your process and their process is completely different and up to God. Some examples of serving in the church are: Cleaning Crew (this does not only have the be the bathroom–this also includes vacuuming the carpets after service, or washing dishes), Teaching Sunday School (shaping young minds to become more like Jesus), Tech Crew (working the sound board and computers), Ushering (directing people to their seats), opening the door for people as they come into the church, singing on the praise and worship team, etc. As you are serving others make sure that you serve in love and with the right heart conditions (Proverbs 4:23).
Philippians 2:3-5, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (NLT)
INTERMISSION FOR PRAYER:
{As I was writing this blog post the Lord laid on my heart to pray specifically for someone that is contemplating suicide.}
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray right now for the individual or individuals on the other side of this blog post, that is reading this right now. Holy Spirit I ask that you would touch their hearts and their lives like never before. God you are not a God of coincidence, this blog has found them for a reason, and I pray that you would soften their hearts to you. I pray that you would open their eyes to see the good news for everyone who believes. Father, I ask that you would pour your perfect peace over them right now Father, and give them wisdom in this situation. Cover them with your love in Jesus name, may they feel you wrap your arms around them and comfort them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
END OF INTERMISSION
#4- Embrace Godly Friendships
Proverbs 13:20, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” It is so important to surround ourselves with people that are not only good company but with people that help lead us closer to Christ. I not only want to be that friend who is on fire for God, but I want to be surrounded by those who are on fire for God as well.
1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” Surrounding yourself with good company (as in the righteous and Christ-filled company) will lead you closer to God and enhance your relationship with Him. When you’re around others who are also serving in the church, it helps motivate you likewise to serve. At my church we have food after every service. This past Sunday after I ate, I saw my Best Friend washing the dishes. I got up so fast and ran where she was. When I got in the kitchen, I don’t think she knew I was behind her coming up to help, but she moved to the side to start drying dishes and I came in to start washing dishes and it happened like a smooth transition. (Hebrews 10:24-25).
#5- Dive Deep into God’s Word
Psalms 139:13, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” What does this scripture tell us? That God carefully created us with intention and He created us with joy. You can tell that God truly took His time with us. When someone does not want to do something you can tell because the work is rushed and it is not created with precision which can cause things to be overlooked. But God took careful consideration to create each of us uniquely. The more time we spend with God, the more blessed we are. We, the creation, are nothing without The Creator. We were not meant to live a life without God, in fact we were created by God, for God. (Revelation 4:11, Proverbs 16:4) Spend time with God today and dig deeper into His word.
1 Peter 5:7, “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” (AMP)
#6- Look at the Blessings
In every season that you are in, look at the blessings. Everyday look at what you were able to do today that you couldn’t do yesterday. I began writing down in a journal all the blessings of the day, and even from a bigger perspective I write down all the blessings from when I first entered this new season to right now.
2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (NLT). God always provides all that we need, not all that we want (which is a blessing!), but we have all that we need! (Psalms 23). Be thankful for what we have now, because we may never have it again. Then seeing all the blessings we have we are able to share with others the blessings that God has given us.
#7- Exercise Your Purpose
Once you know your purpose, start being trained in your calling and exercise your purpose. Well what if I don’t know my purpose? Then this is where you read the Bible more, and ask God to reveal His purpose for you and to train you in that area. When you read the Bible, God begins to show you your identity in Christ, building a strong foundation when you continuously seek Him. When you know your identity in Christ, you begin to know your purpose. When I say purpose I mean God, “What Role do I specifically play?” or “What do you want me to do that will bring you honor and glory?” As a whole we all purpose together in what we are to do (Purpose & Identity in Christ Jesus), but individually what part do we each have? What is my function in the body of Christ? This is what we all must find out on our own. All I can do is encourage you to read your Bible and pray more. When you do know your calling and purpose of function then we must be trained and equipped before God sends us to do the work. It truly is a blessing to have a Mentor who can train you in the purpose that God has specifically for you. When it is time for you to be trained in that area, ask God to send you the right person to mentor you and train you.
Thank you so much for reading this blog. If you like content like this, be sure to read some of my other blog posts down below.
