I wish I knew then what I know now…
I was raised by a single mom, my grandma, and the help of extended family. We lived in a modest home in Mexico without any of the amenities I have become accustomed to. We didn’t have air-conditioning (in a town with humid summer weather ten months out of the year), or a dishwasher, and for the longest time we didn’t have a washer or dryer either. I actually remember washing my clothes by hand and hanging them on a clothesline to dry when I was in elementary school.
Because finances were tight, shopping was limited to what we needed plus a few wants. We didn’t travel other than to visit family, and dining out was reserved for special occasions. We didn’t have a car, so I used public transportation all the way through College.
I have a lot of happy memories from my childhood, but I also remember the feelings that accompanied desiring things that were beyond my reach. Because I was a good student, I was able to get an academic scholarship in a private High School, and later in a private University. Even though I was extremely thankful for those opportunities, being around kids whose financial situation was a lot different than mine was challenging at times. They had access to trendy clothes, brandname purses, awesome vacations, nice cars, and beautiful homes.
There were times that I resented my circumstances and thought that if only I could have this or that, or if this or that changed, life would be so much easier and I would be happier.
Have you ever thought that?
You probably have. It’s easy to arrive to that conclusion when things are not going the way we hoped they would, but that conclusion is a lie. Life might get a bit easier if certain circumstances were to change, but we would not necessarily be happier. Well, maybe temporarily, but not indefinitely. That’s because contentment comes from within, not from our circumstances. We know that in theory, but we tend to forget in practice.
I remember the day God convicted me of this truth. I was standing in my beautiful home, a home I never imagined living in when I was growing up. I was wearing a light sweater because the air-conditioning made the house feel a little chilly. I had a new car parked in the garage, and a closet with more clothes than I ever thought I would own. Not to mention the blessing of a great husband, two healthy kids, and God in our lives. And I was still struggling with contentment.
My eyes were opened to see that many of the prayers that I had prayed for years had become a reality. God had done for me immeasurably more than all I had asked or imagined growing up, yet, I still managed to find things to complain and be unhappy about. No wonder the apostle Paul said he had learned to be content in plenty or in want (Phil. 4:11-13). The thought of learning to be content in plenty puzzled me every time I read it, but on that day I finally understood what he meant.
While the apostle Paul had learned how to be content in plenty or in want, I seemed to struggle with contentment in both. That’s because contentment doesn’t come naturally, contentment has to be learned. I am encouraged to know that if the apostle Paul learned to be content in whatever circumstance, so can I.
Whether it is your finances, relationships, job, ministry, spouse, children, whatever your fill-in-the-blank circumstance is that you wish would change, just ask the Lord to open your eyes to see all the prayers He has already answered in your life, and continue to lift up your requests to Him. Then trust that if He doesn’t change your circumstances, He will change how you feel about them, and that can be an even bigger miracle. I know that has been the case for me many times.
I have experienced both, want and plenty (not just in the context of material things), and I still have hopes and dreams that have not been fulfilled. But here’s what I’ve discovered: the secret to contentment is to seek God with all your heart, and realize in the process that a deep and intimate relationship with Him IS the jackpot! Being in His presence stirs up gratitude in our hearts, and gratitude is the antidote to discontentment.
God is a good Father and He delights in giving good things to His children, but if He’s not our foundation, nothing we accomplish will ever be enough. I pray you are able to experience the satisfying goodness of His presence and notice, as the old hymn says, how “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”.
Your turn!
- In what area of your life do you struggle with contentment?
- What are some things you can do to change your mindset about that situation?
- Look around you and make a list of all the answered prayers in your life.
- Write a a note or text for someone you are thankful for.
Photo Credit: Samantha Evans – Photo taken on a visit to my hometown, Tampico, in 2019.
