Real Hope: ContentmentNäide

The Path To Contentment

Throughout these last few years, I’ve had this intermittent feeling in the back of my mind that I haven’t been able to give words to. I’ve felt ‘off’, bothered, and kind of unmotivated. Is it indifference? I hope not. Am I ‘languishing’ as the New York Times put it? Maybe. Last week I realised what it was. I’m disappointed. While praying and journaling, that word landed with me. I looked it up: disappointment is sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations.

Nailed it. I’m disappointed. Disappointed that the plans I had for 2020 and beyond were interrupted. That the directions I wanted to grow in feel like they’ve stalled, and those years of my life – the prime of my life – have been stolen by this virus.

But, as I gave myself permission to write out all the things this word captured, I also couldn’t deny the richness of what God had left in their place. I’ve learned things I didn’t expect. Gained clarity I didn’t know I needed and gotten a better picture of what it means to be content. Contentment comes from trust. Knowing that in all seasons God is here, having His way, and working out His plans for us. As Christians, what more do we want than that? To be with Him, and like Him? Jeremiah tells us, that trusting God makes us like trees planted by the water: whatever the season, we bear fruit. Disappointed or not, we bear fruit.

These years may be different to what you expected, but they aren’t wasted.

Written by LAURA BENNETT