The thought of contentment has been weighing heavily on my heart for weeks now. I’ve tried my best to study and pray on this in assumption that the Lord has allowed it to linger on my mind for a reason. I know this can be a heavy topic. Seems like it’s becoming more and more common in our society that women are intent on doing what makes them happy or what enables them to feel empowered.
When you get into the word, you won’t find much scripture that backs up the notion of “following your heart,” or just doing what makes you happy. In fact, Jeremiah 17:9 says “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” This should warn us that following our hearts can get us into a lot of trouble if we choose to do so without prayer and spiritual discernment. I’m not saying that God doesn’t want us to have enjoyment in this life with the things he chooses to bless us with (1 Tim 6:9). But we need to be careful of falling into the false belief that God ONLY cares about our happiness.
We are living in a time where the world tells us, if we aren’t happy in our marriage, leave. If we aren’t happy in our jobs or at home with our kids, leave. Go find happiness. But biblical truth shows us that sincere happiness and contentment is found in the joy of walking in obedience with the Lord. When we base our happiness on feelings, circumstances, or even just what we WANT (or more often, what we think we want), it’s a recipe for ultimate unhappiness. The bible says as women we are to be keepers at home and help mates to our husbands. It’s a God ordained position for us ladies. What better field to serve and work for Him than in the four walls of our own home (Titus 2:5). Lasting happiness is finding and stepping into the roll God would have us to be in.
I haven’t found scripture that validates seeking happiness in worldly things, which God tells us are temporal. Paul and the apostles counted it a joy to sacrifice and deny themselves in order to spread the gospel for Christ’s sake. God isn’t just concerned about our worldly happiness because he’s more concerned with our spiritual well being, as he knows that real joy comes in our lives when we know who we are in the Lord, and follow him in obedience. Happiness is the result of those things.
Don’t misunderstand the intent of my thought. There are no judgements here. Trust me, I’ve been there. On both sides of the coin. Perhaps in your very shoes, looking for “happiness” and “contentment” in all the wrong places. Rather this post is meant as encouragement for you to search your heart and get into the word. Seek the Lord. Ask him to revelate your mind and pour his truths into your heart. I promise you, there’s no greater joy than to have a personal relationship with Him. To have him walking beside you. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). I’ve found that to be so very true and real in my life.
No matter the circumstance, the trial, the devastation, the heartbreak, the sadness you’re enduring, you can STILL have happiness in spite of all of that: a peaceful soul is happiness. True joy, True contentment, True peace, and True happiness,…that all comes when we find our identity in Him.
Growing in Grace 