The Legacy JourneySample

Signs of Discontentment

We live in the most marketed-to civilization in history. Marketers have become experts at making us uncomfortable by highlighting our “needs” and trying to convince us to fill those voids with their products.

But all this marketing noise also steals our contentment, and we demonstrate that discontentment in four ways. First, we try to get rich quick. Even though the Bible tells us that looking for financial shortcuts leads to trouble (Proverbs 28:20), something deep inside us always wants to hit the lottery or make $200,000 a year without working for it. Sure, it’s a fun dream, but planning your life around that is a sign that something is spiritually broken.

We also try to appear wealthy when we’re really broke. We talk about big cars, big vacations or big houses, even though we can’t afford any of them. That leads to sorrow, and the Bible says that God never combines His blessings with sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).

Third, we covet stuff. It’s weird, but we get anxious about stuff we don’t even have. This is a big one for me because I love stuff. I went broke, in part, because I worshiped stuff. Hebrews 13:5 challenges us to be content rather than covetous. Materialism stirs up a desire for more. Contentment reminds us that God owns it all and helps us to be grateful for what we have.

Finally, we’re discontent when we let jealously and envy creep into our lives. I used to think they were basically the same thing, but they’re not. If I’m jealous, I want what you have. But if I’m envious, I don’t think I can have what you have, so I don’t want you to have it either. Both are unhealthy, and they gang up to steal your joy.

Take some time to examine your life. See if you can identify one (or all) of these four signs of discontentment in your life. If so, choose a better plan. Focus on how God has blessed you and be grateful what He has done for you.

You can choose contentment.