There are times in life when contentment seems far from you because your giftings far exceed your station in life.
You are a gifted artist, organizer, event planner, teacher but currently, you have been placed in a job, house, circumstance that needs none of your giftedness. And not only does it not need your giftedness; it doesn’t even acknowledge you are gifted. It is hard to find contentment when you work all day accomplishing tasks while somewhere in the back of your mind you fight against the thoughts that scream you are smarter, more capable, and possess more talent than what your daily circumstances require.
The Tension
You probably feel the tension way down in your soul. The tension that screams at you that you were created for more than filing papers, changing diapers, disciplining misbehaving kids, organizing someone else’s calendar, getting people coffee.
Your social media feeds this tension with posts telling you to dream big, work hard, sell the next big product, lose weight, be a girl boss, and if you just dream it, it will come true.
2 Truths about this Tension
First, finding contentment comes from truly trusting God.
Oh, we might and probably do trust Him a whole lot. Maybe we trust Him completely with our finances and our kids and maybe even our time, but our future? I mean in so far as I am ok if what I am currently doing is my forever future because I trust God? Let’s be honest. When we feel that restlessness in our soul, it’s hard to believe God is in control and what we are currently experiencing is His best for us. We want to grab the reins, work a bit harder, change our circumstances, whatever it takes to get rid of that tension that seems to scream at us.
But yet scripture seems to give us the opposite advice. We read in Philippians 4:11-13:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The scriptures say nothing about dreaming big, going fast, or making more money. It states nothing about your giftedness or talents being recognized so you can feel fulfilled. It doesn’t talk about working hard or being satisfied with your job.
Instead, Paul, the author of Philippians, speaks of trusting God more. Trusting God to give you the strength to live through the tension is the “secret” to contentment.
Second, our discontentment is a result of hating weaknesses.
In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul tells us he was struck with a thorn in his flesh to keep him from being conceited in his giftedness. He begged God to take this thorn away. He begged God to change what made him weak. But God said no. God said Paul needed the thorn EVEN THOUGH it was a bit of a tension in Paul’s soul.
If I had my bet, Paul more than likely struggled with this weakness. He was an important guy, a teacher, a leader, someone people looked to for advice. Having a weakness might limit his credibility. Right?
Paul’s eventual response to this weakness was what curbed his discontent.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
He embraced that thorn and allowed God to use it to make Paul more dependent on God. Paul’s thorn ultimately gave him contentment with life. Just keep reading the New Testament to see all God did through Paul once Paul embraced his thorn and submitted to God.
The Real Way to Find Contentment
That tension you feel in your soul? That could very well be your “thorn” for this season of your life. That tension could very well be your opportunity to learn the secret of being content.
Dream big, work hard, sell whatever you want to sell BUT, realize those dreams, that work ethic, the money you make won’t take away your tension.
The tension is God’s little gift to you to point you back to Him. The ONE who you can trust, who has a plan for your life, and who is molding you to be more like Him.
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Excellent blog, Kari. This affirms much in our family’s mission and calling.
These were just the words I needed to hear today! Thank you for blessing me with them.
Exactly what I needed to read today.
“The tension is God’s little gift to you to point you back to Him.” Love this! It’s so true that we so often struggle to take the reigns in our lives, and yet, true meaning in life is found in humbling ourselves and allowing God to direct our every step. If Jesus, being God, could be humble, then why shouldn’t we also. Thanks for the great reminder!