Secret Power of Contentment
Imagine the life hack…no matter what’s going on in your relationships, finances, or health, the deepest part of you remains full of peace, thankfulness, and even joy. No matter what season your family is in, there’s an inner strength and resilience that fuels momentum to press on. This is the secret that we have the opportunity to tap into and it all comes down to the heavenly reality: WE ARE NOT ALONE.
God’s presence is all around us, in us, surrounding us, available to us, and no one is disqualified. Living with the benefits of God being real and powerful is our choice, of how much we will give His presence our affection, and our attention. When we focus on how real He is, we tap into His strength, and all of a sudden “we can do all things”. (See Philippians 4:11-13)
Pop culture, society, and even well-meaning loved ones can pressure us to get more. The message of more-more-more is alive and prevalent if we want to give in. If you’re looking, you’ll find someone to agree that you need more stuff, more comfort, and more rights.
Without contentment, yikes, you’ll be in a constant state of waiting. Waiting for someone to change, waiting for someone to apologize, waiting for someone to defend you, waiting for someone to give you security, waiting for better stuff or more stuff and it’s definitely a trap.
Contentment is about a decision you choose in the midst of circumstances. It’s the choice to focus on what you have, not on what you don’t have. There isn’t one person immune to hardships of life, despite what they may portray, that has had everything easy and perfect in their lifetime. However, you might THINK someone has, just because they’ve learned the secret of contentment.
A harvest of peace starts with a seed of contentment
Contentment is true wealth
Complacency is a completely different state of being - although they could be confused as being similar! Contentment says you’re going to be full of peace and resilience and continue to move forward to actively receiving God’s promises for your life. Being satisfied in each moment and energized for the best life imaginable.
As a satisfied person in your relationship, here are some practical action-steps:
Remember we all have quirks, so just accept each other and even out-serve the other! There is joy in serving.
Spoil each other. This sounds the same as serving, but this is next-level-figuring out what makes another person happy, and then making that important to you.
Make your loved ones feel safe. Be generous with nice, kind and loving compliments and encouragement. Words are important.
Admit your mistakes freely and as soon as possible. Avoid saying “I told you so”.
An apology demonstrates commitment - and within your apology acknowledge the pain it caused.
Develop trust by being clear in your expectations, and don’t make the other person “guess” what’s going on in your heart.
Start and end your day together.
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just love and allow yourself to be loved in return.”
Hold on to your faith! Don’t give up! You will see the goodness of God in the land of the living AND your future is full of endless joy.
Hear more about this on Episode 155 of the “All About Relationships” podcast with Bob and Audrey.