There’s something in all of us that God is always working on. Something that only His Grace can change as we press forward into knowing Jesus more. It’s called contentment. We’re continually immersed in a culture that markets discontentment. Everything in our world, commercials, adds, promotions all tell us “You need more and you don’t have enough! You can’t be happy should not be happy with what you have, how you look and where you’re at in life!”

Nothing is more damaging to our focus, our peace and our daily walk with God than discontentment. It takes our eyes off of what Jesus has done and what the Holy Spirit is doing. It robs us of faith for the future, peace in the moment and leads us to ultimately become ungrateful. Frustration, restlessness, irritability, discouragement, confusion and constant unhappiness are often rooted in being discontent.

In Philippians 4:12-13 the apostle Paul said, “12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” What’s powerful about this verse is that Paul wrote it from a dark, dirty and lonely prison cell!

Jesus called Himself “The Bread of Life” and as we cultivate relationship and dependency on Him, we become less anxious, less worrisome, less bothered by what we don’t have because we’re satisfied in Him. In Psalm 9:1 we learn that David made sure His “whole heart” was given over to thankfulness and recounting the wonderful things God had done. ”1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. 2 I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

Through this verse we can relate to David as we recount what God has done.

• What areas of your heart are not given over to God and filled with discontentment?
• Which “wonderful deeds” of God can you recount and give thanks for with your whole heart?

- Daniel Villarreal Jr.