Something Has to Change
After reading my last post and reflecting on it, I wanted to clarify something.
Being content, or learning to be content, does not mean that the situation you’re in doesn’t have to change.
Why am I Content?
First off, let’s talk about the root of contentedness. Remember, it’s not about what we have, or what our situation is. Being content comes through Christ and our relationship with Him.
Great. But the situation still sucks.
And that’s the beauty of things like joy and contentedness. Because they don’t come from the situation, we can still have them in the awful situations. But that doesn’t detract from how bad the situation might be.
Let’s use illness as an example.
Following the Playbook of Contentedness
Everyday, I wake up feeling awful. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I know I should be content, so I tell myself that I am. If I believe it hard enough, then I will be content, right?
“I don’t know what’s going on,” I tell my friends, “But I know God is doing something, so I’m trusting him.”
Every time I feel more pain or start to wonder if something’s seriously wrong, I push it aside, saying that God has put me here for this time. Maybe He’s refining me through my suffering. Or He’s using me to show how powerful He is.
Some of my friends recommend I go see a specialist, but I think that if I just stick it out, everything will be okay. God will give me the strength I need to get through it, or He’ll fix the situation. I pray to Him, giving Him my sickness and my weakness to use for His glory. He’ll bless me for it, right?
I accept the sickness as part of my story. I’ve obviously been put here for a reason, so I should make the most of it.
I look for the positives. At least I’m still alive. At least I have a family. At least I have friends.
I’m saying all the right things, right? If I say the right words, I’ll be content?
Or is there a different way?
Following the Process of Contentedness
I was scared when I still felt sick after a few days. Things weren’t getting better, so I decided to go to a doctor. The preliminary tests showed nothing, so I went back home, but still, nothing changed.
Every day is a fight. I’ve had nights where I’ve just sat and screamed at God, asking him why He let this happen to me. But as I wipe the tears, I reflect on His love. I don’t look for Him to fix me, but for Him to sit with me.
“I’m scared,” I tell my friends. “I want to trust God, but I don’t know if I do.”
Some of them just tell me to have a stronger faith, that if I stick it out, I’ll be okay. Others say nothing, but just hold me.
I do my own research, looking for other supports. There are more tests. Some answers come, some don’t. Everyday, I examine my heart and bring it to God, pouring out my fears, my hopes and my needs. As the process of finding contentment outside of my situation continues, I find that I have acknowledgement of how much I don’t want it.
“Lord,” I pray, “If you have me here for now, so be it and let me rest in you. But change it, God. I don’t want to be here.”
Content Through the Pain
Just because we are content doesn’t mean that we are not ever in situations that need to change.
Being content does not mean you need to stay in the mess.
When you’re in the mess, seek for contentedness in Christ and His love and presence. But don’t let anyone tell you that being content means you need to stay there.
As you work to improve it, be content that He is still with you, and still loves you. Remember that even though this world remains broken and even if the situation doesn’t change, one day, we’re promised complete restoration with God in Heaven.
And if you are able to change it, thank God and remain content in His smile as He walks with you through it.
Throughout all of it, though, seek God and a relationship with Him. Not as a magic genie to change the situation, but to seek Him and know Him.
Oh, and one more thing.
I was never talking about illness. I was talking about relationships.
