We live in a culture that is never satisfied. The media constantly targets us with having more: more money, more power, more fun, more stuff. And, quite honestly, we all struggle with wanting more in some area of life. Just this past week, Steve and I found ourselves saying, “Oh, if vacation were just a little longer.” When we realized we were saying that, we figured we better spend some time in prayer to transition our hearts toward vacation ending and getting back to real life. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my life! But my point is, it’s just our human nature to keep wanting more. We live in a world of excess, and if we’re not careful to cultivate contentment, we will fall victim.
David wrote Psalm 16 and declared confidently in verse 5, “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.” I’ve been meditating on this verse for the past week. What David models here for us is deep contentment and confidence.
What does contentment look like? Does contentment mean we won’t feel heavy-hearted about the suffering when it comes? Does it mean we won’t feel angry over injustice? Does it mean we’ll adopt an emotionally flat posture and just repeat a mantra of “I’m content in the Lord”?
I believe contentment can hold ambivalent feelings of joy and sorrow at the same time. Joy comes from God’s presence, and sorrow comes from the suffering around us. So how do we cultivate contentment? Are there tangible steps we can take? Yes! Here are just a few choices you and I can make:
Choose to Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Jesus.
“I will keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8). David writes that in the midst of his suffering, he will not look away nor walk away from the Lord. Even when things don’t go as planned. Even in the midst of suffering, keep your eyes on Jesus. Move toward Him rather than away from Him. Train your eyes to see suffering through His eyes. He weeps with our suffering and feels the emotions of sadness and anger over injustice. Feel those feelings with Christ, but keep Him as your focus. Too often, our focus is on what we’re lacking. If you obsess about what you don’t have, discontent will grow. Instead, remind yourself of the words of Psalm 23:1, “I lack nothing!” Keep your focus on Christ.
Choose to Praise God Even in the Dark.
“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me” (Psalm 16:7). In other words, David chooses to praise God even when life feels dark and he doesn’t know where God is leading. Friend, the truth is, no matter how much you grow in your relationship with Christ, you will not always understand His ways. If you did, He wouldn’t be God. Choose, by faith, to worship even when you weep. Choose, by faith, to praise when the plan seems wonky. Choose, by faith, to give thanks even when you are lacking. Is that hypocritical? No. It’s called faith.
Choose to Find Joy in His Presence.
“You will fill me with joy in your presence” (Psalm 16:11). The greatest joy you will ever know is found in the presence of Christ, but we have to train our souls to enjoy His presence. We fill our lives with lesser joy-givers: our spouse, our kids, our grandkids, Netflix, chocolate, alcohol, or a host of other things. Our relationships, entertainment, and food bring joy. That is right and good. However, they can’t bring as much joy as Jesus can. Your deepest joy will always be found in God’s presence. Learn how to enjoy His presence more fully. Create sacred space to enjoy worship music, worship walks, and worship in His word. Ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate deeper joy and delight in God’s presence.
Friend, the truth is that Christ is our source of contentment, but sometimes, because we’re human, we need the reminder. Why don’t you write out Psalm 16:5 on an index card and post it in your house where it is readily visible? Say the words out loud and remind yourself that the deepest contentment is always found in Christ.
Purchase Becky’s latest book Cultivating Deeper Connections in A Lonely World here.
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