As Jesus becomes bigger in our lives, our struggles and pains grow smaller. Our perspective changes as we begin to understand who God is and what He has in store, resulting in greater contentment. Being led by the Holy Spirit, we discover contentment and peace that this world cannot provide.
Greater Contentment is Birthed in Pain
But we must experience God in the dark places of our soul. We must come to know God by allowing Him access into our hidden spaces. By relinquishing control and humbly admitting our wrongdoing, we find a new way of life. Our lives become transformed through the revelation of who God is and who we are.
We are but filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 says, “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” There is a stark contrast between God and us. His holiness peers into the depths of us and reveals who we really are.
But there is more.
This is not where the story ends.
Jesus Changes Everything
It is the revelation of Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life that compels us to fall on our knees in utter awe. His view of us changes everything. Despite our sinfulness and waywardness, He seeks us out. He desires a relationship with us. When we fail, He picks us back up and puts our feet on solid ground. He loves us unconditionally despite our failures, weaknesses, and inadequacies. God delights in you (Zeph. 3:17). God pursues you (Ps. 139:1-4). God knows you (Rom. 8:27). By His cleansing blood, you are redeemed.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Ephesians 1:7-8
If Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life…anything else leads to a progressive death. But Scripture tells us we can have life. Real supernatural life made available to us here and now. As believers, the Spirit of God dwells in you today.
Counterfeit Contentment
Our sinful nature attempts to fulfill our needs outside of God. It works hard at managing and controlling our life and those around us. Never resting. Nor taking a break. Its mantra is “try harder and harder and harder.” Besides, it screams at the top of its lungs to do more and more. “Change your husband, then you will be happy. If you were prettier, then you would have more friends. Or, if you had well-behaving, smart, athletic kids, then you would feel worthy.”
The Enemy always deceives us to look within ourselves for the answers.
But God, since the Garden of Eden, has proclaimed, “The work is already done.” It is in Him and Him alone where we find rest.
Our Flesh is Never Satisfied
Our flesh will never be satisfied. It will never have enough. We will never measure up. The one thing you have your hopes set on will never satisfy. The people you are gripping on for love will at some point, let you down. The pat on the back or accomplishment that you think will set you apart is fleeting. You cannot get there. The mark keeps moving and fleeting.
Don’t you see, the Enemy hopes our failures and sin will drive a wedge between Jesus and us. His sole purpose is to cause division and strife. When we face our inadequacies, we have a choice to make.
We can choose to cave to the Enemy’s condemnation or we can choose life.
The Holy Spirit has a different purpose in mind, and it for your ultimate good. By pointing out your sinfulness, His intent is to drive you to Jesus instead. In Christ we find forgiveness and healing from our sins. His objective is to see our need for a Savior, whose love will never end.
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
As our eyes are opened to who Jesus truly is…and who we really are…a shift occurs. We begin to find our hope, confidence, future, and joy in Him. Likewise, we learn to see our failures as opportunities to learn something new. As a result, we stop relying on ourselves for answers. Ultimately, we let the truth of God’s Word sink in and greater contentment to reside within.
What needs to change in you to live life with greater contentment? In your mind, emotions, and relationships with God and others?