The Contented Life Daily Devotional

Scriptures: Proverbs 14:30, Job 5:2, James 3:16

You Are What You Eat

You have likely heard the saying, “It is not what you’re eating; it’s what is eating you.” Long before science proved that negative emotions such as envy would devastate your health, Solomon summed this truth up in his proverb. 

True contentment is a source of inner peace that nurtures us, while envy corrodes and destroys the well-being of our soul and physical health. Envy is that discontent emotion you feel when you focus on the possessions or qualities of others. If this stressful, negative emotion is stored in your body, it will always override even the healthiest diet. Envy can produce stress, disrupt sleep, distort thinking, and upset digestion. By contrast, the inward peace that comes from accepting what God has given may actually improve your physical condition. 

In this era of social media, envy has found fertile ground with the various platforms that showcase carefully curated highlight reels of people’s lives. This constant exposure to seemingly perfect lifestyles can fuel your feelings of envy and breed discontentment. 

If you measure your worth and identity on possessions or qualities of others, envy will soon fester as your focus shifts from God’s blessing to what others possess. If you leave these thoughts and emotions unchecked, envy, like a cancer, will soon compromise your physical and mental health. 

To stay content in a world of comparison and greed, be vigilant about the influences that trigger envy in your life. This can vary depending on your circumstances. The antidote for envy is to start by thanking God for what He has given you. Then, strive to support others in their unique journey and have a heart of genuine happiness for those who may enjoy things you don’t have. By doing so, the blinders will be lifted for you to enjoy the unique gifts God has given you and the specific purpose He has designed you for. 

Scriptures: Philippians 4:4, Psalms 5:11, John 15:11

Joy Is A Choice

Just as being busy is a choice, so is joy a choice. It is choosing to respond to your external circumstances with a supernatural inner contentment because you know God is at work despite what you might see. 

Joy differs from happiness. Happiness is on the outside, your happenstance, whereas joy is on the inside. You could summarize it this way: pleasure resides in the body, happiness is a state of mind, but true joy emanates from your spirit. This strength is found by focusing on the Lord, knowing He is always with you and dwells within. 

You cannot control what other people do to you or what people do around you, but you can control how you respond. You mustn’t let the external things you can’t control control you. In the middle of a broken world, you have a choice. Changing your circumstances will not necessarily increase your joy, but focusing on God’s goodness will cause joy to flow up like a well from within your inner being. 

Notice that Paul did not say to rejoice when everything is going your way but rather to rejoice always, in the good and bad times. The only way you can do this is to deliberately take the time to think about what God says by meditating on His words. Then, deep down in your spirit, you will sense that God the Father is in control, and the fruit of joy will begin to bubble up within you. This joy from the Holy Spirit is independent of your immediate circumstances. 

Today, remember that since the Holy Spirit is not shaken by the ups and downs of life, neither will you be since you are focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit inside of you.

Scriptures: Philippians 4:6-7, Psalms 37:8, Matthew 6:25

Don’t Worry!

It’s difficult to be content when you’re full of worry and anxiety, isn’t it? If you’re not dealing with elevated anxiety levels yourself, perhaps someone close to you is. 

So, what’s the solution? 

When the Apostle Paul wrote these words, he knew that the Christians in Philippi had a lot to be anxious about; in the first century, it was illegal to be a Christian. Paul himself wrote this letter while in a Roman prison because of the Gospel; he had plenty of reasons to be anxious. Roman prisoners like Paul likely didn’t know where their next meals were coming from and had to rely on the generosity of their friends and family to keep them alive. I, for one, start to get a little anxious when I haven’t eaten for a while. Paul had this and many other reasons to give in to worry and anxiety, but instead of worrying and getting overwhelmed by his situation, he chose to pray with a heart of gratitude. 

These verses promise a supernatural peace from God that will be placed as a guard around your mind and heart, meaning that God’s peace will guard your thoughts and emotions against catastrophizing the future. 

Worrying is like praying for the worst-case scenario to happen; it’s an act of faith and a killer of contentment. But prayer is also an act of faith where you decide to trust God with all your cares and concerns. So, instead of worrying, why not try praying?

Scriptures: Ephesians 5:5, Proverbs 1:19, Proverbs 15:27

Be On Guard Against Greed

When you think of idol worship, you might think of someone bowing down to a man-made statue representing some deity. But the Apostle Paul clearly tells his readers that if you are greedy, loving the things of this world more than God, you are engaging in idol worship! Throughout the Bible, God makes it clear that He is much more interested in the unseen attitude of your heart than in your visible actions. When you operate with greed and envy, your focus is on your perceived lack and on wanting what others have. This attitude can lead you to behave in ways that are rude, critical, selfish, uncooperative, and even ruthless. 

Do you remember the character Gollum from The Lord of the Rings? Possessing the ring of power consumed him with greed; he wanted to keep “his precious” finding all to himself. Though once a hobbit, Gollum’s greed and envy slowly turned him into a hideous bent-over being, forever tormented by the conflict within him. In many ways, having a spirit of greed and envy is like turning into Gollum. The transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but bit by bit, day by day, a little coveting here, a little wanting there, can turn into a wish and fixation that you could have that which belongs to others. 

The Apostle Paul writes that greedy people cannot enjoy the benefits of God’s Kingdom. It’s not that God withholds His benefits from greedy people; rather, greedy people actively reject God’s blessing in their lives. A greedy and envious person is so focused on what they don’t have and on what others do have that they have no room to experience God’s wonderful contentment for them. 

Take time to reflect on any attitudes of greed or envy in your own life. Is there anything you love or place high value in more than God? Confess this to the Lord, repent, and turn to Him in prayer. Ask God to take His rightful place on the throne of your heart and begin to worship Him wholeheartedly again.

Scriptures: Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 4:23, Colossians 3:2

Anchor Your Thoughts

In the city where I live, new high-rises are constantly being built. I love watching the construction process from beginning to end. First, the construction crews dig a deep hole, sometimes as much as 200 feet. They will create an anchor point at the very bottom of the hole by digging a smaller hole. This hole is then filled with reinforced steel and concrete and becomes the anchor for that building. From that point on, every piece of steel and concrete is carefully tied into that anchor to withstand the forces of nature that will certainly come against it. To use the Apostle Paul’s language, that building is “fixed to the anchor.” 

You live in a time when your mind is constantly bombarded with thoughts, ideas, and images that are anything but true, honorable, right, and pure. When I was a kid, pastors often talked about how everyone has two gates: the eye gate and the ear gate. The implication was that you can open and close each gate to choose what you look at and listen to. Your mind can easily fixate on things that are far from the truth and God. What you allow to occupy your mind will determine your contentment, mood, and outlook on life. 

Just as the high-rise builders diligently ensure the building is anchored, Paul reminds you to be diligent today. You must continually anchor and focus your mind on truthful, righteous, and virtuous thoughts!

Scriptures: Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:9, Proverbs 19:8

Back To School

I remember when my wife and I finally transitioned from broke newlywed students to graduated and employed members of society. Our disposable income increased by what felt like five thousand percent. 

As students on a tight budget, we had learned to be content with just enough to live on, but with our newfound income, we found ourselves longing for what we didn’t have. The door of consumerism was wide open and had captured our attention, but in that place, we quickly realized that we needed to go back to the school of contentment. 

The Apostle Paul reminds us that contentment isn’t natural for us; it must be learned and relearned. Whether you are a student, single person, newlywed, parent, or retiree, each phase of life will likely require you to relearn what contentment looks like. Ultimately, finding contentment in Christ is the only thing that will truly satisfy. 

Do you remember the story of Jesus talking with the woman at the well? In the middle of their conversation about water, Jesus said that if she drank the natural water, she would have to return because she would eventually get thirsty. He explained that he had living water that would satisfy what her soul longed for. In the same way, if you’re always looking for experiences, possessions, or people to make you content, you will always remain unfulfilled. Contentment can only truly come through realigning your hopes and desires with Jesus, who patiently teaches that you can be content in any and every circumstance. 

If you’re looking to anything or anyone other than Christ to bring satisfaction, you may also need to go back to school. Because circumstances don’t get to determine your contentment, you do.

Scriptures: Philippians 4:12-13, Hebrews 12:2, Proverbs 23:5

Fix Your Focus

Contentment isn’t passive; it doesn’t come to anyone by simply waiting. Rather, contentment comes from an active choice of seeking to be filled with the Spirit, the way that Paul did in prison when he penned this scripture in Philippians 4:12-13, “… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” 

Through enduring hardship and trials, Paul was laser-focused on his God-given mission – to tell others about salvation and freedom found in Christ. Paul’s strength to withstand challenges and enjoy victories came through fellowship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This empowered him to persevere, in need or plenty, yielding great contentment. Paul, through His Spirit, reframed his dire circumstances to his advantage. Doing the best he could where he was, and while under house arrest, Paul wisely used that time and place to equip churches through letter writing! 

Contentment then doesn’t come from being passively satisfied with where you are or with what you have or don’t have; it comes from having Jesus as your everything, being filled with His Spirit, and actively living out God’s purpose. Forgetting your real purpose to serve God distracts and re-directs your desires onto possessions and worldly goals, robbing you of experiencing the richness of being content. Don’t add or subtract things in your life – just seek Jesus. 

Ephesians 5:18 exhorts believers to “Be filled continually with the Holy Spirit.” The more you ask to be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit and fellowship with Jesus and His Word, the more content you’ll be, overflowing with power to overcome and fulfill His call. When you have Jesus, you have everything you need because “He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

Scriptures: 1 Timothy 6:17-18, Isaiah 58:7, Hebrews 13:6

Share What You Have

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.” That statement has a lot of truth and lines up with what Paul says. Here, he instructs Timothy to warn people not to be obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Rather, he should instruct those in the church to go after God, do good, be rich in helping others, and be extravagantly generous. 

The advertising world would like you to believe that you will be content if you just acquire more wealth. While God does provide many wonderful things for us to enjoy, the true, lasting joy comes when you share them with others. Think of the joy you felt when you shared your home with someone, perhaps shared a ride in your car, or simply shared your time with someone in need. This sense of fulfillment brings contentment in your life, not acquiring more for yourself. 

If you place your hope in the uncertainty of your wealth and possessions, Paul warns this will lead to being arrogant or haughty. When you think of the haughty person, there is likely no image of contentment that comes to your mind. They may have luxury, but they certainly don’t have the natural wealth of contentment that truly makes one rich. 

This act of sharing reveals where you are focused, for contentment comes when your heart is focused on God and not on amassing more possessions, power, or pleasures for yourself. 

True contentment arises when you anchor your hope in God, recognizing that earthly wealth cannot be carried with you. By enjoying what you have and sharing your riches, you will find fulfillment and lasting joy.

Scriptures: Luke 12:15, Genesis 12:2, Proverbs 22:9

Be A Blessing

My father diligently worked to climb the corporate ladder to achieve the position of his dreams. Part of his determination resulted from his upbringing in scarcity and poverty. As he began to succeed financially, I noticed as a teenager that he had also changed how he talked and how he gave his time and resources to others. He no longer spoke of his childhood with pain and shame but focused on what he could do with his life, and if he was given wealth, it was for God’s glory. As an adult, I witnessed him unashamedly challenge family, friends, and colleagues who were fearful about their investments to surrender their money, time, and talents to God’s work. 

Proverbs 14:30 says, “It’s healthy to be content, but envy can eat you up.” This begins in your mind. How much time do you spend thinking about what others have, what you’ll miss out on financially if you don’t act now, or tightly guarding what you do have out of fear? If you allow the spirit of greed to influence you, it quickly brings discontentment and ruins your enjoyment of the path God has for you. Life is not measured by how much you own; however, what you give can be measured forever. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you guard against greed, bring perspective to what you have, and share with others. 

My dad is now in heaven. Some earthly assets were left behind and continue to bless many. But most importantly, he left an example of how living a life of contentment and joy is possible when you share what you have, knowing your hope is anchored in Jesus Christ. True possessions are waiting for you!

Scriptures: Psalms 17:15, Matthew 6:33, Luke 10:20

Made Right With God

It doesn’t take a great mind to know that the best things in your life are not things at all; they are relationships. And of all the relationships in your life, there is none more important than your relationship with God. 

There is nothing better in the world than knowing that you have been made right with God. You can know this thanks to Jesus – because of His life, death, and resurrection, you can be sure that all is well in this precious relationship. Once you have accepted the free gift of salvation, you can walk in the ease and contentment of knowing there is nothing between you and God. 

The stuff of life will often try to pull your eyes to look to wealth, popularity, and approval for satisfaction. There might even be trials that make you question if He is there or if He is enough. When you know that your eyes have drifted or your knowledge of His goodness seems faint, cry out to Him. Remind yourself that God treasures you, and you have a hope that you will see Him one day, face to face in heaven. 

Your honesty in prayer is worth more to your faith than anything this world has to offer, and it’s one of the best ways to build your relationship with God. He is listening, and as it says in Psalm 17:6 – pray because He will answer. He will bend down and listen as you pray.

Scriptures: John 16:33, John 14:27, 2 Thessalonians 3:16

He Will Give You Peace

In 2009, Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh were arrested and sent to prison for spreading Christianity in Iran. They were sent to Evin prison, notorious for its brutality, where they endured threats of execution unless they renounced their faith in Jesus Christ. 

The two ladies describe their experience in their book, “Captive in Iran.” They share that if it hadn’t been for the strengthening of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace, they wouldn’t have been able to face even one day in that prison. At first, they prayed for a fast release but quickly began to see that God was using them right where they were. They began to evangelize and pray for the other prisoners. 

They spent 259 days in that physical prison, witnessing horrendous injustices while simultaneously seeing God’s hand at work. While surrounded by trouble and calamity on the outside, Maryam and Marziyeh experienced God’s peace and contentment on the inside. 

You may not be in a physical prison, but it may feel like you’re in a prison mentally, financially, or relationally. Whatever your circumstances may be, God is right there with you. His word reminds you to take heart because He has overcome the world. Jesus’ peace is not the peace the world gives. God can work inside of us so that we can have peace even when, on the outside, calamity may be raging. 

How do you find His peace in your present circumstance? Draw near to Jesus through prayer and His Word; remind yourself of the goodness of God and reflect on where you have seen His hand at work in your life. When you do these things, His peace will be with you, and you can take heart. The victory is His, and the contentment is yours. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that in You there is peace. Today, I surrender all my worries and circumstances into Your hands. And I ask that the peace of God would guard my heart and mind in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalms 107:22, Colossians 2:7

Gratitude Is The Key To Your Future

In seasons of great difficulty or change, you might wonder, “What is God’s will for my life?” It’s a commonly asked question when the future seems uncertain. But did you know you can be content in times of uncertainty by shifting your focus from what you don’t know to what you do know? 

You can start by asking yourself, “Amid all this difficulty, what am I thankful for?” 

When circumstances change, it’s easy to get caught up in listing everything going wrong. You quickly see a mounting list of people who treat you poorly, things that don’t go your way, and roadblocks that keep you from where you want to be. 

Maybe you’ve heard the adage: “Count your blessings…” a bit of sage advice from an old hymn published in 1897 by Pastor Johnson Oatman. Consider the words of the first verse and chorus: 

When upon life billows, you are tempest tossed, 

When you are discouraged thinking, all is lost. 

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, 

And you will be singing as the days go by. 

Count your blessings, name them one by one. 

Count your blessings, see what God has done. 

Count your blessings, name them one by one. 

Count your many blessings, see what God has done. 

Take a moment to think of just a few things you are thankful for today. A grateful heart is like a water tap; once you turn on the faucet, thankfulness, like the water, will continually flow. Before you know it, you will have a long list, no matter what else is going on around you. In thankful remembering, you’ll find that your vision for your future is secure as your heart aligns with God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:7-9, Matthew 11:28-30, Proverbs 16:3

God Can Handle It

Peter, who penned these words, had firsthand knowledge of the burden and danger of holding on to worry, as well as the peace and contentment from casting it upon the Lord. In Matthew 14, we have the famous passage of Peter walking on the water. The storm was raging, and the waves were beating against the boat, yet as long as Peter fixed his eyes on Jesus, he could defy the laws of physics and walk on water. 

Unfortunately, Peter could not sustain his faith in Jesus and eventually succumbed to the circumstances around him. Verse 31 says, “But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.” Peter went from looking at Jesus to looking at the terrifying circumstances that surrounded him and began to sink. 

You and I are not designed to handle worry and stress. Medical research tells us that holding on to stress can cause heart disease, asthma, obesity, depression, and even premature death. Researchers even found that stress seemed to accelerate aging by about 9 to 17 additional years! This is one of the reasons you are urged to cast your cares onto God instead of holding on to them. 

Every day, you will choose where to place your faith. Is it going to be on Jesus or your circumstances? Giving God your worries and casting your cares on Him shows your faith is placed in Him, not your circumstances. 

Today, choose to cast your cares on the Lord. 

God can handle it.

Scriptures: Matthew 6:33, Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 10:24-25

Focus On The Big Rock

You may have seen the object lesson where a person tries to get different piles of rocks, pebbles, and sand into a glass jar. The key is to start by placing the biggest rocks first, moving down in size accordingly while allowing the fine-sized pebbles and sand to fill in the gaps between the larger ones. A person who places all the smaller pebbles and sand in first will find it impossible to fit the large rocks in at the end. 

The point of the analogy is to recognize the importance of making priorities in your life – the big rocks represent the most critical priorities you should always put ahead of the things with lesser urgency or importance. Because when you put other priorities ahead of God, you may find it difficult or impossible to fit everything into your life. 

Have you ever wrestled with these priority-based scenarios? 

I will start to attend Sunday services when work slows down.

I will give more to the church when I make more money.

I will serve more in the church when I am less busy with my kids.

I will pray more to God when I have the time.

Being part of a church, serving others, praying regularly, and giving generously of your money and time are big rock priorities that directly affect your contentment. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches about prayer, stewardship, and provisions. Jesus encourages the disciples to prioritize God as the biggest ROCK and to trust their Heavenly Father to be their provider. In the same way, Jesus is encouraging you to trust your Heavenly Father for the things you need. He promises you will be content when you prioritize God and learn to trust His provision.

Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:7, Psalms 20:7, Psalms 37:3

Trust Is A Weapon

Worry is using your ability to imagine and talk about a negative scenario that hasn’t happened and possibly never will, and it takes work.

In the book ‘Bruchko,’ Bruce Olson tells how he planned his educational path toward a Ph.D. in philology, but while attending a conference as a teenager, the idea of becoming a missionary to South America interrupted his plans. His parents were concerned, and the missions board he had asked to support him rejected his application, yet amid all the opposition, he felt faith rise.

Through miraculous circumstances, Bruce eventually found himself in Venezuela, yet he endured extreme anxiety once he arrived. Loneliness, a language barrier, and the locals’ lack of trust in him as an American plagued him. Finances and health issues were also a constant struggle. He worried that his step of obedience would never accomplish anything, yet 30 years later, 70% of the indigenous Motilone/Bari people he felt called to reach with the gospel are now Christians.

In Matthew 6:25, Jesus calls you to a life of trust, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life.”

Trust is the opposite of worry. All it requires from you is to believe what God has said about Himself is true. When you are consumed with anxiety and worry, you have a choice—you can continually speak of your concerns, or you can say the praises and promises of God. Because if you can worry, you can trust. Trust is a spiritual weapon with a powerful effect on your life that brings contentment and reassurance that God has His best for your future.

You may not be called into a full-time missionary life like Bruce Olson, but like him, you must cast the cares limiting you from fulfilling all God could do through your life; you can trust Him with your circumstances. The result will ultimately include leading others to the cross of salvation, bringing joy to your heart, and glory to God!

Scriptures: Isaiah 55:9, John 8:31-32, Proverbs 3:7-8

Do You Want A Higher Life? Think Higher Thoughts!

You might be tempted to think that being content means never wanting to progress or go higher in life, but in reality, contentment always moves you toward excellence and seeking higher ways. In contrast, discontentment can trap you into thinking patterns that limit and even hinder growth and improvement. 

Just as our body needs nourishment to keep us healthy and growing, our minds need to feed on the right kinds of thoughts. You may know where to find the best quality organic foods or nutritional supplements for your body, but where do you go for your thought vitamins? 

God invites you into His health food store to access His higher thoughts and to discover His mindsets and thinking patterns. As a believer, 1 Corinthians 2:16 says you have been given the “mind of Christ!” As you feed on God’s thoughts through reading and meditating on His Word, they become life to your soul, like a spiritual vitamin. 

Nutritionists often say that you must be consistent with your daily supplements and that it may take weeks or even months to see the desired results. Over time, you will also notice that consistently eating healthy foods takes away your cravings for the unhealthy. 

Similarly, if you want to see a change in your life for the better, continue exchanging those lower thoughts and ways for God’s ways, which are so much higher! You made it to Day 16 of this 40-day journey; keep going! Keep feeding on the principles and promises of His Word. Dare to fill your mind with His higher thoughts and see if it doesn’t give you the highest, most amazing life.

Scriptures: Philippians 2:13, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6

God Is Working In You

Martin Luther King Jr. is known as a man with a strong desire to bring about racial reform, but he did not just have the desire; he acted. He once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” 

It is not enough to just “will” something, for our thoughts and intentions are not always carried out. Our volition must be energized by God Himself. Paul wrote Philippians 2:13 from a Roman prison, where the conditions must have been miserable. Yet, Paul knew that above it all, God Himself was energizing him to choose and work at what gave God the most pleasure. Paul understood that the place of true contentment was to trust in God’s love to have the right desires and then act upon these desires. It was about pleasing God and not himself. 

God will energize both your desires and your actions. It is important to remember that God will never require you to do anything that you cannot do. Whatever desire He puts in your heart to do, you can count on His always giving you the power and strength to carry it out. What a great promise! 

The first step is to be aware of your inadequacy and the selfish desire only to please yourself. The second is to lay these down before the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to replace those selfish attitudes with loving motives and actions. God assures in scripture that He will produce in you both the desire and the ability to treat others in ways that bring God pleasure. 

On your own willpower, you will find that obedience is next to impossible, but by God’s power working in you, you will find you have the desire and the power to obey Him.

Scriptures: Philippians 3:12-14, Hebrews 12:1-2, Acts 20:24

Focus On Eternal Values

“I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward – toward Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Phil. 3:13-14 (Msg) 

Paul often used the analogy of running a race; he was a man who truly kept his eye on the finish line. The recent political divide and the Covid pandemic have seen division unparalleled in our lifetimes, a division that has touched families and the church. You may have experienced some of the effects of that in your own life. I observed, however, that those who kept their eyes on Jesus and His eternal values came through it much healthier. 

An old hymn says, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.” The original tune and words may not be familiar, but the message is eternal. We live in a culture struggling with contentment; marketing wants us to believe that we’re a bit more special if we wear a particular clothing brand or drive a specific car. An old preacher said, “There’s nothing wrong with having things, but don’t let the things have you.” 

In 2 Timothy, thought to be Paul’s final letter, he said to Timothy, the young man he’s handing the baton to, “The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now, the prize awaits me.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8) 

How do you guard against losing sight of eternity? For Paul, it was keeping his sights set on sharing Jesus with everyone he met. Let me ask you a question: Do you have others on your prayer list? Are there relationships you’re building with the hopes of sharing Jesus with them? If the answer is no, start a list today.

Scriptures: Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 13:20

Cultivate Godly Friendships

Nothing is more profound and life-changing than discovering and believing that God loves you. Knowing God’s love for you and seeing yourself the way He sees you brings a security you could never find within yourself or in this world. It’s imperative in your growing relationship with God that you find and cultivate godly friendships with people who also see you as God sees you and are going in the same direction. Friends that sharpen you. 

Are some people in your life who haven’t sharpened you like a true friend? Do they help you grow in your faith, or are they trying to pull you in a different direction? A friend once said, “It’s way easier to pull someone down off a ladder than it is to pull someone up onto a ladder.” You can rarely successfully bring someone up to your level if they desire to keep you down at their level. Almost always, you’ll end up being pulled down with them. 

Where you are today is largely because of friendships you have chosen in the past. You always have the choice to build on the friendships that sharpen and lift you up. Seek out friends you can be honest with and who can be honest with you. Find people who can see your weaknesses and blind spots but also have your back. Give them permission to keep you accountable and do the same for them. Become part of a small group community in your church that meets regularly for Bible studies and social gatherings. 

As you journey through the contented life, you must surround yourself with people growing in their faith and God’s love. Like iron sharpens iron, cultivating these friendships will make you stronger and sharper!

Scriptures: James 1:16-17, James 1:13, Numbers 23:19

Beyond The Shadows

In Plato’s famous story, “The Allegory of the Cave,” the philosopher tells of prisoners who create their reality around the shadows they can see just outside of the cave they are in. They name these shadows and begin envisioning what life is like outside based on the stories they make up from their limited view. When they finally break free from the cave, they are shocked to find how different things are in the real world.

Similarly, your view of God and His gifts in your life can be distorted by shadows. Even if God has made you free, you still must step into the light to get a clear view. Don’t be deceived like the prisoners in the cave; it’s not just naive or wishful thinking to look for the perspective of your God, the Father of Lights.

God is a good Father. He will give you a good gift during every trial and temptation you face. You can depend on that because it says in the Bible that He will never change. Contentment in this truth is connected to your ability to cope when shadows begin to close in on your field of view.

God is a good Father. He is a giver of good gifts. His gift to you today might be a song that speaks to your situation, an opportunity to serve someone else in a way that also refreshes you, or simply a remembrance of His past provision.

Don’t build a shadow world in the presumption of what’s outside the cave. Step into the light by asking a simple question: What is my gift from God today?

Scriptures: Colossians 3:17, Psalms 100:4, Hebrews 13:15

Give Thanks!

You likely have passwords to protect your devices; you may even have an app that helps you keep track of those passwords! Some of the most used passwords are 12345 or 123456. That just might be one of yours! 

Passwords give you private access to what you consider valuable. The word ‘thanks’ is the password into God’s Presence, a simple and powerful word. When you come into His Presence with thanksgiving, there is a recognition that it is in Him you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). You might find yourself discontent if you are living to impress others with your talents instead of giving glory to God. Thankfulness helps you release yourself from discontentment and from trying to impress yourself and others with your abilities and accomplishments. It pushes the reset button back to giving God the glory for what you have, what you have accomplished, and your hopes for the future. 

John Henry Jowett, a British minister, said, “Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.” And Dante Rosetti, an English poet and painter, said, “The worst moment for the atheist is when he is thankful and has nobody to thank.” Let today be the day that you begin to use the password of thanks and enter the joy of living in a daily place of contentment.

Scriptures: Hebrews 6:19, Hebrews 10:23, 1 Peter 1:13

Cling To The Anchor Of Jesus

Cornelia “Corrie” Ten Boom knew something about being content and having an anchor to hold you in the storms of life. She grew up in a devoutly religious family, and during World War II, her family hid hundreds of Jews to protect them from arrest by Nazi authorities. Eventually, her family was betrayed, and the entire family was imprisoned. Corrie survived and started a worldwide ministry to encourage others with what she learned in the Nazi concentration camps. She once wrote: “In order to realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.” 

The storms of life will reveal the strength of your anchor, for an anchor is only as secure as that to which it is fastened. Like an anchor holding a ship safely in position, your hope in Christ guarantees your safety and allows you to remain in God’s inner sanctuary. Here, His divine presence will keep your soul in peace even though a storm rages outside. Whereas the ship’s anchor goes down to the ocean bed, the Christian’s anchor goes up into the throne of God Himself to bring comfort and assurance. 

This anchor of hope is a certain expectation that God will do what He has said. It is more than a wish or a desire; it is the assurance that God will keep His promise. There is no desperation or fear of what will happen if God doesn’t come through. Rather, it is this assurance that you have hope for a better future and the power to hold on in the present moment. 

In today’s world, many winds and currents will try to pull you away from the presence of God. The songwriter Priscilla Owens captured the verse’s essence when she wrote: “We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll, fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.”

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 30:19, Philippians 2:14, Philippians 3:8

I Get To, Not I Have To

“Do I have to?” 

This may be the whiny response from kids when asked to eat their greens. This could also be your whinier response to your spouse when asked to have dinner with your in-laws. 

Every day, you will be faced with decisions and opportunities to respond. ‘Do I have to?’ is an understandable response to things you are not fond of doing, but is it right? Sometimes, God may ask you to do, act, or go in a specific direction you are not enthusiastic about. If you’re carefully disciplined, your default response will likely be willing. 

When God positions you in a place of decision, He asks that you bring life by blessing instead of cursing. He wants you to respond with “I get to!” and to trust Him with what he’s asking you to do or where He’s asking you to go. Imagine the difference you will make when you respond to opportunities with an enthusiastic life-giving attitude instead of a hesitant complaint. 

When you choose to respond in love, there will be less strife in your daily life and relationships. There may even be less rage on the road! Choosing how you respond will result in life or death; when you choose to respond with life-giving willingness, God will bring supernatural contentment into your heart and mind.

Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Romans 5:2-4, Colossians 1:24-25

The Gateway To Contentment

Paul’s words are not a command for you to be happy for everything that happens to you or that all the bad, the pain, or the disappointments you may face are God’s will for your life. Rather, these words are meant to equip you with the secret to getting up and above the circumstances, good or bad, and into the realm of contentment. The fact is, Paul’s version of rejoicing is an act of your will, not your circumstances. 

But how do you rejoice in the Lord when things are bad? Like really bad? 

You must choose to search for and take note of reasons to rejoice right where you are. Please do not overlook this because of how simple it sounds – often, the simplest disciplines, employed faithfully, lead to the most significant changes. Do you have working eyes, legs that can walk, lungs that can breathe air? Do you have food on the table and a car to drive? Have you ever stopped to thank God for the clean drinking water in your glass? 

Sometimes, things can feel so dark that all you feel you have to rejoice in is the Lord Himself. If that’s the case, you’re in good company with the Apostle Paul, who wrote while in prison, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again – Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). When you look for it, there is always something to thank God for even in your darkest hour. 

Like Paul, you have access to this gateway to contentment. In any season, circumstance, or mood, you can fill your heart with reasons to rejoice and give thanks to God as an act of your will. List ten things you can thank God for today and see if it doesn’t lift your heart.

Scriptures: Matthew 11:29, Jeremiah 6:16, Hebrews 4:9-11

Find Rest In Him

Contentment is a rare state for many. When you began this daily devotional, you may have found yourself discontent and restless. But as a follower of Christ, you are called to rest in Him by taking Jesus’ yoke upon yourself and learning from Him. 

A yoke is a wooden frame placed on two animals (usually oxen) to pull heavy loads or plow the soil. This term also metaphorically symbolizes a person’s obligation or responsibility to another. It is also a common metaphor for the law in Judaism. The scribes and Pharisees “bind heavy burdens hard to bear and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with their finger” (Matthew 23:4). Jesus came to lessen our burden by removing the weight of the law, sin, shame, guilt, and the wrath of God (John 3:36). 

The Apostle Paul taught the Galatian church that “if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Gal. 5:18) and that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the [Mosaic] law” (Gal. 3:13). Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets, achieving what the law could not—replacing a heart of stone with a heart of flesh that beats for God. 

A supernaturally softened heart willingly takes Jesus’ yoke and follows His commands. This is a sign of submission to the will of God the Father, serving Jesus Christ the Son (John 12:26). Jesus is gentle and humble in heart, offering rest to all who come to Him. He calls His disciples to learn from Him. 

Contentment arises from resting in Christ’s finished work on the cross and learning at the Master’s feet how to walk in gentleness and humility. I have a question for you to consider today: Are you dedicating enough time to learn from Jesus? 

Like the Apostle Paul, we are called to learn the secret of contentment in all circumstances, for our trust is in a sovereign Savior whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light.

Scriptures: Isaiah 26:3, Psalms 29:11, Colossians 3:15

Trusting In God Brings Inner Peace

Someone once said, “Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.” Trust in God brings inner peace and a contentment that the world cannot give. 

You will notice in this verse that peace has to be kept. It is easy to lose your peace when trouble comes, and what keeps your peace is directly related to where you fix your mind. 

Peace can seem elusive in this world. Many factors can take your mind off God and cause your inner peace to dissipate. These can include fear, busyness, shame, betrayal, and pride. Or it can be the striving for more and more, hoping that a promotion, raise, or move to a new location will finally bring you peace, only to discover that you did not find peace at all. 

You can only find real peace when you remain steadfastly focused on God. The key is to focus on His unchanging promises. Keep your mind on Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Here is a simple thought pattern to keep your mind on God. Remember that God sees you and everything you are going through. Then remember that He not only sees you, but He also really cares about you. Next, take these thoughts into prayer and trust Him, for He can change what you are going through. God will always act out of His goodness for you, and His plans are always the best. Then, lastly, keep your mind on the fact that no matter what happens, God will never stop loving you. This will keep your mind in a place of supernatural contentment.

Scriptures: Romans 15:13, 2 Corinthians 1:20, 2 Peter 1:3-5

You Can Hope And Trust In God’s Promises

In today’s culture, “bad news” seems to be the headline across every mainstream media feed. Even if we silence all social media notifications and refuse to pick up the local paper, the reality is bad things happen. As Christians, we cannot pretend that suffering does not exist. Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). 

At a conference I recently attended, a pastor made a statement that rocked my world: “Anxiety is simply faith in the wrong place.” I wholeheartedly agree! It takes the same amount of faith to imagine something terrible will happen as it does to imagine something good. 

The question I pose to you is this: “Where is your faith?” Is it in a job, a relationship, a doctor’s report, or the approval of others? Or is your faith in the God who holds the universe in His hands and cares about every detail of your life? Where you place your faith determines your level of contentment. You can experience supernatural joy, peace, and hope, regardless of your circumstances, when you place your faith in a good God with a good plan for your life. 

The best way to overcome anxiety is to meditate on God’s promises. Write down any thoughts robbing you of a contented life, and search for Scriptures that highlight God’s truth in those areas. Focus on those promises, repeat them out loud daily, frame them, and hang them on your wall if you need to! Do whatever is necessary to promote God’s Word as the headline of your life story. When prioritizing God’s promises, you put your faith in the “right place.” Trusting God and His Word will serve as a spiritual conduit for God’s joy, peace, and hope to overflow in your life.

Scriptures: Colossians 3:15, Matthew 6:22, Titus 1:15

Allow Christ’s Peace To Govern Your Heart

The phrase “thank you” is well known in the English language. From the family dinner table to government negotiations, these two magic words have proven invaluable in conveying worldwide honor and respect. But the power is not simply in the words but the sentiments behind them. The gratitude that accompanies a genuine “thank you” is something the giver and receiver can both enjoy. 

One of the keys to contentment in our lives is gratitude. Gratitude is more than an eloquent speech; it is an attitude of the heart. Let’s be clear: there is no fooling the God of the universe. He knows you inside and out. In fact, the Bible says God desires us to come before him with an offering of thankfulness, not simply to pay Him lip service (Psalm 50:23). The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat hatov, which literally translates to: “recognizing the good.” The spirit of ingratitude will creep into your life if you criticize what you have and compare it with someone else. Instead, choose to see the good God is doing in your own life at this very moment. Genuinely thanking God for everything He has done opens your eyes to recognize His divine care and protection. 

It is important to note that gratitude and peace are two sides of the same coin. Biblical peace is characterized as a wholeness of the body, a right relationship or harmony between God and his people, prosperity, victory over one’s enemies, and the absence of war. 

Where do you need God’s peace today? Start by thanking Him for every good thing you have in your life, and God’s peace will watch over your heart and mind. The contented life is a grateful life full of peace, where you can know without a shadow of a doubt that your past, present, and future are safe in the hands of a God who loves you with everlasting love.

Scriptures: Psalms 46:10, Job 37:14, Psalms 23:1-3

Embrace Stillness

Today’s world has gotten more efficient, advanced, and educated, but everyone is busier than ever. Oliver Burkeman from the BBC stated that “Busyness has become an indicator of high status,” but this “busy feeling” makes a person perform worse and have less compassion. In some ways, being busy can make you feel important and better about yourself, but only temporarily. You might think being busy will lead to greater contentment, but this is a tempting lie. 

The psalmists remind believers in God that true contentment and peace come from stopping your activity and recognizing that God is greater, all-powerful, and the supreme ruler of all the earth. When you do this, all of life and human doing is put into proper perspective. While all your efforts and achievements may vary, God will never vary. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, if you look to God for your value and worth rather than how productive or accomplished you can be, you will experience the contentment and peace that God wants you to have every day. 

Cultivating a habit of embracing stillness is easier said than done. It requires going against the grain of society in establishing rhythms in your day – rhythms that will cause you to pause your work or activity to connect with God and re-align your thoughts with His Word found in the Bible. These pauses could look like short walks around the block or taking a few minutes to meditate on a passage of Scripture in the middle of your day before praying. Whatever the habit or rhythm, be sure to practice stillness, slowing down your thoughts, being quiet, declaring who God is, and thanking Him for His presence in your life.

Scriptures: Romans 8:6, Galatians 5:16-17, Galatians 5:24-25

You Get To Choose

In this passage, the Apostle Paul reminds his readers that they have a choice. Like Paul, God created you in His image, allowing you to freely choose whatever you desire, good or bad. Will you let your mind be governed by the flesh, which desires lust, money, power, jealousy, material items, and everything that distances you from God’s presence? Or will you let your mind be governed by the Spirit, who brings you peace with God, leading to abundant life and a peace that surpasses all understanding? 

In today’s world, almost every television channel, social media platform, celebrity, motivational speaker, and influencer points this generation to whatever the flesh desires. They are focused on the temporary satisfaction found in self-pleasure. You may have seen or heard that those who have chosen to pleasure their flesh have fallen into a hamster wheel of life. No matter how much they feed their desires, they never seem satisfied, constantly searching for the next thing. 

However, when you choose to let the Holy Spirit influence your mind, He will lead you to a life of peace and contentment. He will lead you to a place where you shall not want because His presence satisfies your every need and overflows you with renewed hope. A hope that flows like a river, touching every person around you. 

Today and every day, you have a choice to make. Will you let the noise around you determine where to go, what to do, what to say, how to act, and who to be? Or will you let your Creator, who knows you so well and has created you for a specific purpose, lead you to a place where true contentment is promised?

Scriptures: Isaiah 32:17, Proverbs 10:28, 1 Timothy 1:5-7

Live Righteously

Do you remember that awful childhood feeling of doing something that you knew was wrong? 

When I was about eight years old, I convinced my five-year-old brother to throw a rock through one of the windows in our house. He was hesitant, but I guaranteed it would be okay, and with good aim, he shattered that window with the first rock. Once the deed was done, I left him standing in dismay as I ran away, announcing he had broken a window. 

That day, there were more things broken than I bargained for. The most significant was the damage to my heart, not to mention my relationship with my little brother and my parents. 

I remember my brother understandably seeming confused about the consequences he received. My heart began to pound with conviction. In such a short time, I made a mess of my little eight-year-old life, and any fun, innocence, peace, or contentment vanished. 

Eventually, I could no longer bear the unpleasant feeling and approached my dad. I was at his mercy but decided to confess the truth. Sitting on his lap and through my sobbing, I explained what had happened. 

In our house, intentionally breaking a window was a big deal, but my father recognized that the condition of my heart needed repairing first. Without my heart repaired, I could not be truly reconciled to my brother, parents, God, and myself. 

That day, I made it right, and peace was restored to my heart. Living in right standing with God leads to lasting peace and contentment. 

Today, if you need to make a relationship or situation right, take a step of faith to do it. Confidence, peace of mind, clear conscience, and contentment will be a rich reward.

Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:7, Luke 12:29-30, John 14:27

Entrust Your Worries To God’s Care

You are likely very familiar with anxiety robbing you of your peace. Regardless of ethnicity, age, and gender, we can all identify with feelings of dread and trepidation. 

Whether it’s being persecuted for your faith in Christ, losing your job, taking a challenging exam, receiving a bad medical report, thinking about the future, or being concerned about the state of the country or the world, we all have legitimate reasons to be anxious. The question is: Where do you find true, lasting peace when facing life’s challenges? Is it found in a pill, a bottle, a vacation, a new spouse, a new job, a new country, a new church, a new house, more money in your bank account, more social media followers, or a new season of life? 

The fact is that true, lasting peace and contentment in anxiety-inducing times come from the one and only God of Peace (Rom. 15:33). Asking, seeking, and knocking for God’s help requires faith and humility. That is why, in the previous verse (6), the Apostle Peter instructs the persecuted and suffering Christians to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” Peace requires that you approach God by faith, cast your anxiety on him in prayer, and patiently wait for His response in due time. 

God cares for His people, and He is only a breath away. Cry out to the God of grace who made a way to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. Trust in the words of your beloved Savior who said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). 

Peace is a gift of grace, and it comes from the Prince of Peace. Entrust your worries to God’s care today and receive His peace.

Scriptures: Proverbs 19:23, Proverbs 14:26-27, Acts 9:31

The Healthy Fear

You may wonder how fear can lead to life, especially if you’re associating the concept of fear with horror movies, being afraid of the dark, or even physical abuse. But the Bible speaks of a healthy fear. I’ll wait as your brain cramps for a second, trying to process the words “healthy fear.” This is not a fear of God hurting you or getting revenge on you. This fear comes from a deep desire to be under the protection and blessing of God. 

“Reverence” or “deep respect” might be another way to define the “fear of the Lord.” When you have a deep respect for someone, it changes how you think about that person when you are making decisions. You may even decide not to do something or change how you do things because you greatly respect that person. This is the type of relationship that Scripture depicts when it refers to the “fear of the Lord.” 

Operating in life with a deep reverence and respect for God changes how you behave and treat others. It will even change the places you go and the things you look at. When you live in a manner that acknowledges and reveres that God is always present with you and everywhere, you will begin to act in a way that reflects a heart to honor Him. This leads to life and a rested, contented heart, untouched by trouble. Does it mean that no trouble will come your way? Absolutely not. But it does mean that your faith will be firm when it does because you are living with a deep respect for your heavenly Father, who is always with you. 

This healthy fear of the Lord will preserve your quality of life and contentment when trouble comes. 

If you don’t have this perception of God yet, I want to challenge you to pray and ask God to redefine your understanding of “the fear of the Lord” according to His word so that you can have the healthy fulfillment of this promise.

Scriptures: 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Hebrews 13:5

An Attitude of Gratitude

A German pastor named Martin Rinkart served in Eilenburg during the thirty-year war of 1618-1648. The town of Eilenburg had been turned into an overcrowded refuge for its surrounding cities, and the refugees suffered from epidemics and famine. And then, in the year 1637, Martin lost his wife. Yet, despite living in a world dominated by death, he wrote the following prayer for his children to offer to the Lord: “Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices; whom wondrous things hath done, in whom this world rejoices. Who, from our mother’s arms, hath led us on our way, with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.”

Even during such a horrible time, Martin had learned to be content with the little things in his life. It’s not how much you have but how content you are that creates happiness.

In a world that often urges you to constantly seek more, whether it’s wealth, possessions, or status, Paul reminds us that contentment is not found in accumulating wealth or pursuing material excess. Instead, he points us toward a different perspective that values the basic necessities of life. Possessions can come and go, and following quantity can lead to a never-ending cycle of striving and dissatisfaction.

Contentment, however, emerges from a heart that recognizes the sufficiency of what it already possesses. This doesn’t mean you should abandon ambition or hard work, but rather that your pursuit should value spiritual riches above material ones.

I encourage you to pause today and appreciate the simple blessings you might have taken for granted. By cultivating gratitude for providing your basic needs, you shift your focus from what you lack to what you have been graciously given. As you reflect on these words, may you learn to balance aspiration and contentment, finding true fulfillment in every blessing you have.

Scriptures: Psalms 16:8, Psalms 25:15, Psalms 141:8

Keep Your Eyes On The Lord

Have you ever had an eye exam before? If you wear glasses, this is a familiar process; however, for those who don’t, you might still recall the experience from your younger years. 

The exam process itself can vary, yet you’ll most commonly be asked to read something from afar with different lenses. With each lens, the doctor will ask, “What do you see?” Based on your response, the doctor can determine what prescription you may need for glasses or if you even need them at all. As someone who wears glasses, I can tell you what a difference they make. The world I see with them is much more vibrant and clear. 

David encourages us in Psalm 16:8 to always keep our eyes on the Lord. This means you must be intentional about where your eyes are looking for strength. Take a second to consider your default response to stress or difficulty. Who or what do you look to when you feel troubled or shaken? Do you look to Google? Your friends or family? The Psalmist knows that true stability and contentment are found in the Lord. He urges us to keep our eyes on Him. So, what does that look like in your life? 

For me, I’ve adopted the habit of starting and ending my day with prayer. When I wake up, I intentionally welcome the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, asking Him to lead and guide me throughout my day. You could try it for yourself, saying, “Welcome, Holy Spirit. Please lead me today and give me the strength I need.” 

At the end of the day, you can look back and thank Him for how he helped you see things through His perspective and how He was with you throughout the day. This simple 

practice will help you keep your eyes on the Lord. He will give you the strength and spiritual clarity that you need. He will keep you from being shaken.

Scriptures: Matthew 6:25, Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 9:8

It Comes With The Ticket

In a world driven by materialism, the overwhelming message is that happiness is found in the accumulation of wealth. Yet, the scripture is clear: While chasing money leads to anxiety, trusting in God’s provision leads to peace and contentment. 

You can trust God to come through for you because He has already proven Himself as a Provider. Romans 8:32 (ESV) says, “He who did not spare his own Son… how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” 

Your understanding of God’s immense sacrifice in giving you His Son should give you confidence in His provision for you. For if God gave up His son for you, don’t you think He will supply you with a job? A home? A spouse? 

Author Peter Kreeft tells the story of a poor European family who saved for years to buy tickets to sail to America. Once at sea, they carefully rationed the cheese and bread they had brought for the journey. After three days, the boy complained to his father, “I hate cheese sandwiches. If I don’t eat anything else before we get to America, I’m going to die.” Giving the boy his last nickel, the father told him to go to the ship’s galley and buy an ice cream cone. When the boy returned a long time later with a wide smile, his worried dad asked, “Where were you?” 

“In the galley, eating three ice cream cones and a steak dinner!” his son replied. 

“All that for a nickel?” his shocked father answered. 

“Oh, no, the food is free,” the boy declared. “It comes with the ticket!” 

Regardless of what you need today, be at peace. God’s provision comes with the ticket.

Scriptures: Colossians 3:2, Joshua 1:8, Psalms 1:1-3

Meditate On God’s Word

When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He had to take control of His thoughts, and how He did so was by immediately quoting scripture. He effectively chased out wrong thoughts by focusing on God’s Word. Clearly, Jesus spent a lot of time memorizing and meditating on scripture. 

The word “meditation” likely conjures up many things in your mind, most of which are not Bible-based. Most people connect it with Eastern mysticism and moving yourself into a mindless state. But that is far from the Bible’s exhortation to meditate. 

Growing up on a farm, I was intrigued by watching cows chewing on something when I could see they clearly had no food in front of them. They were “ruminating” or “chewing their cud” — actually bringing food back up that they’d already swallowed to chew on it some more. Doing so extracted more food value from it. That sounds gross, but it’s a helpful image. 

The Biblical perspective on meditation is to memorize scripture, recall it, reflect on it, and ruminate on it. You see, you meditate all the time, whether you know it or not. The question is, what are you meditating on? If you are anxious, you probably meditate on all the bad things you imagine could happen. 

Memorize promises from God’s Word and meditate on those. Then, if you wake up in the middle of the night and are having trouble sleeping, reflect on the scriptures you have put to memory — meditate on them. 

God told Joshua to “Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” Joshua 1:8-9. God still has the same message for you today. He wants you to know Him and His Word.

Scriptures: Proverbs 14:30, Proverbs 23:17, Luke 12:15

God Wants To Bless You

William Arthur Ward, an American motivational writer and church lay leader, once wisely said: “Blessed is he who has learned to admire but not envy, to follow but not imitate, to praise but not flatter, and to lead but not manipulate.” Such is the life of one whose heart is content. 

You live in a world filled with envy and jealousy, and both lead to destructive behaviors. If you let envy or jealousy fill your heart, it will psychologically affect your life. These two damaging emotions are often used interchangeably but are distinct with slightly different meanings. 

Envy is discontent when someone else possesses or enjoys something you desire. On the other hand, jealousy occurs when you feel threatened by a third person concerning something or someone significant to you. Envy is a two-person situation, while jealousy involves a three-person dynamic. Envy stems from a sense of 

lacking, whereas jealousy is a response to the potential loss of something, often someone important to you. 

God has promised to be with you, to provide for you, to keep you, and to give you peace that the world cannot give. By cultivating an attitude of contentment, thankfulness, and love for others, you will find this peace that only Jesus gives guarding your heart. 

The remedy for the toxic emotion of envy is firstly to focus on God’s blessings that you already have, secondly to choose to rejoice with those who rejoice, to bless others, and not be afraid they will get ahead of you. And thirdly, to resist being envious of someone else’s possessions, education, wealth, social standing, marital status, children, talents, or anything else. By doing so, God’s blessing for you will not be hindered, and you will enjoy the spiritual, mental, and physical health God wants for you.

Scriptures: Psalms 118:24, Psalms 5:11, Psalms 31:7

The Choice Is Yours

Every day, you make thousands of choices, some consciously and others subconsciously. These choices start from the moment you wake up. Will you read your Bible and pray? What will you wear? Will you shower? What will you have for breakfast? You’ve already had to make a myriad of decisions, and you haven’t even left the house yet!

But did you know that you can also add choosing gratitude and joy to that list?

As the Psalmist says, “I will rejoice and be glad in it.” It sounds like the writer is making a choice, an act of his will to rejoice. So, how can you choose gratitude and joy as a daily discipline?

You can read God’s Word and try speaking it out loud. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17), so speaking His word will build your faith!

What if you decided to start each morning by speaking Psalm 118 instead of reaching for your phone (other than to turn off your alarm)? What if your second move of the day was to use your voice to acknowledge God? “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. God, thank you for this day.” Already, your morning has started in a place of gratitude.

According to cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf, “It takes 21 days to form a long-term memory and 63 days to form a new habit.” You can make today day one. Today is the day you can choose gratitude and joy, ultimately leading you to contentment.

Scriptures: 1 John 5:3-4, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7-8

The Greatest Victory

Of all the victories you could win in this world, the greatest is to live a contented life, having defeated sin and evil pleasure by trusting in Christ. John, the great love disciple, knew that the love for God would ultimately bring victory in this world. 

John uses an interesting Greek word for victory that only appears this one time in the entire New Testament. It is the word Nike, which has been made famous today by the shoe and apparel brand. The slogan for the Nike company is well known: “Just do it.” 

John uses this word to convey to his readers that this is a fight you must prepare for every day. Dr. Harry Rimmer, in Voices from the Silent Centuries, writes: “The word John used (for victory) was NIKE, and it has but one possible meaning in the vernacular, that of a victory or conquest made as a result of a premeditated military campaign.” 

For there to be victory, there must be a fight, the good fight of faith. This fight of faith will lead to a supernatural victory of contentment. But like any fight, it requires a battle plan. If you want your day to have contentment, you will have to premeditate on your actions for the day; otherwise, you will never have victory in this area. This battle plan needs to include an attitude of gratitude, casting all your cares on the Lord, praying about everything, and watching your thought life. 

To have victory in this world requires more than just hearing God’s word but also showing your faith and love for Him by doing His commandments. God knows this will lead a believer to true and lasting contentment.