We can easily allow discontentment to drive our emotions and our entire life. Contentment isn’t a one-time destination we arrive at, rather it is a constant battle that must be fought. 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us that “godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into this world and we cannot take anything out of it.” It takes supernatural power to be content and at peace with where God has us. Contentment is a rare jewel that few people find. This is because we have the enemy of our soul constantly reminding us of what we don’t have; for he is the father of lies who is trying to destroy our joy and vitality. The craving for more and more leads us into sin and destruction. It seems so easy to see what we don’t have, but to be thankful for everything we do have seems to take so much more effort. We can be content with what we have only because Christ is with us and gives us strength. He is our only hope, our gracious Savior who has come so that we can find abundant life in Him.

God has used a sprained ankle and a couple of other things in my life lately to show me how much time I spend wishing for and imagining different life circumstances. Having two arms and two legs that work well is such a blessing that enables me to do many different things but how often do I take that for granted? It is the bent of the human heart to see lack more than seeing blessing. 

I may long to be a wife and mom, but God has blessed me with so many people in my life who I love dearly.

I may desire more earthly possessions but God has always faithfully provided for my every need.

I may wish I could talk “normally” sometimes but God has been so kind to allow me to be able to speak much more clearly than I used to.

If we are willing to see it, every part of our lives contains proof of the Lord’s loving-kindness. Even in the difficulties of life, there is evidence of His Fatherly care all around us.

Even more than all the earthly gifts God gives to us, scripture tells us that those who are in Christ have received every spiritual blessing. All the temporary, earthly good we enjoy each day cannot compare with our spiritual riches found in Jesus. We can spend the rest of our life pondering everything we have been given in Christ, but we will never understand the absolute depth of the goodness of God and everything He has provided for us. We now enjoy reconciliation with God and other believers. Jesus has fully forgiven us and has taken away all of our condemnation. We have a living, eternal hope that provides a purpose for each day. The Lord will be our ever-present help and strength. Jesus transforms our life in every way and provides for us at least 10,000 more blessings.

While there is a time and a place to grieve our losses and hurts in this life, we can do so in great hope as we entrust our burdens to the Lord. As Christians we should be the most content people in the world. We still will experience much trouble and this side of heaven will always be far from perfect. Yet Jesus will always be the greatest treasure, the jewel of the highest value. May we be content in His kind sovereignty, with the full assurance that the Lord truly does work everything for good for those who love Him. Because of Jesus, we can experience the rare jewel of contentment.