Still Satisfied

Photographer: Christine Benz
Model:  Mylea Hardy
(more information below)

We live in a society where not many people stay content for very long.  Everyone is always trying to move and shake and get on to whatever is bigger and better.  No one stays still for too long.  WE (myself included) often get to that 'next level' we so desired to be at and then soon grow restless there like we grew restless in the place we just left.  There are many factors that contribute to this.  Philippians 4:11-12, Paul talks about how he's been in various situations and circumstances, but through all of it, he's learned how to be content. "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."

Feelings of inadequacy can create restlessness and dissatisfaction.  When there's some area of your life that causes you to feel like you don't measure up or that you're not where you should be or who you should be, you begin to constantly compare yourself to other people.  You assume that they're lives are perfect based on their social media accounts, their pictures, or the stories they tell.  (As if everyone shares the not so perfect stuff first.)  You get so caught up in someone else's life that you forget how you longed for this place.  You forget how you prayed for this job.  You forget how you prayed for this relationship.  You forget how you prayed for this car...  That's where we have to draw the line.

Constantly comparing your life to someone else's will only cause you to forget what you have been blessed with.

2 Corinthians 3:5 tells us that "our adequacy is from God!"  So, you'll always be inadequate without the Lord.  He gives us everything that we need in every season of our lives.

Feelings of anxiety can create restlessness and dissatisfaction.  Anxiety can creep into many areas of your life.  Life is filled with issues, bills, transitions, emergencies, you name it.  Even the most steady of believers may deal with anxiety from time to time.  It starts by entertaining a thought that worries you.  Then you rehearse various possible outcomes in your mind.  Then the enemy causes you to doubt promises that God has for you.  And before you know it, you're focused more on your anxieties than the one who has instructed you not to be anxious.

When we focus more on our anxieties than on God, we make our problems bigger than we make God.  God is bigger. God is bigger.  God is bigger.

Philippians 4:6 tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Give it to God.  He can do more with it than you can anyway!

Feelings of loneliness can create restlessness and dissatisfaction.   Have you ever felt like a relationship was going to solve all of your problems?  If I had a friend to hang out with, I wouldn't be so lonely.  If I had a boyfriend, I wouldn't feel so alone.  If my relationship with family members wasn't so bad, I'd be happy.  WRONG!  I don't mean to negate the significance of relationships.  I believe God made us relational and there are things we need from other people that we can't get on our own.  However, when we idolize those relationships and desire a connection with people more than we desire a connection with God, we are in error.  God desires to have our hearts.  God desires to have true fellowship and companionship with Him.  Our relationship with God should be the only relationship that controls our contentment... We should be resting in Him. I'm truly in love with my boyfriend.  I know that the Lord has us together for a purpose.  But I have had to come to the point that regardless of my relationship status, I'm still satisfied.  Whether I have a boyfriend or not.  Whether I have a lot of friends or not.  Whether I'm surrounded by people or not.  Whether I'm PMSing or not (uhh, well, I'm still working on that!).

Putting your contentment in the hand of anyone but God is dangerous business.  No one knows your heart like Him, so no one should hold your heart but Him.

James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."  Draw near to GOD. I know there are people you want to know, but in the grand scheme of things, it's better to have a relationship with God and no relationship with anyone else than having a relationship with anyone else & no relationship with God.  

Lord, help me to be satisfied no matter what state I'm in.  Help me to find my contentment in You.  Help me to rest in You.  Help me to know that it is because of You that I am where I am. Help me to trust this season and not get overwhelmed with comparing my current state to someone else's.  

Love you all!

Ricki 

___________________________________________________________________________

Here are the details on the graphic used for this post.  The picture was taken by Christine Benz of Christine Benz Photo.  The model is Miss Mylea Hardy. The text was added by me.  Check out more work from both of them at http://christinebenzphoto.com