The Contented Life Daily DevotionalSample

Back To School

I remember when my wife and I finally transitioned from broke newlywed students to graduated and employed members of society. Our disposable income increased by what felt like five thousand percent.

As students on a tight budget, we had learned to be content with just enough to live on, but with our newfound income, we found ourselves longing for what we didn't have. The door of consumerism was wide open and had captured our attention, but in that place, we quickly realized that we needed to go back to the school of contentment.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that contentment isn't natural for us; it must be learned and relearned. Whether you are a student, single person, newlywed, parent, or retiree, each phase of life will likely require you to relearn what contentment looks like. Ultimately, finding contentment in Christ is the only thing that will truly satisfy.

Do you remember the story of Jesus talking with the woman at the well? In the middle of their conversation about water, Jesus said that if she drank the natural water, she would have to return because she would eventually get thirsty. He explained that he had living water that would satisfy what her soul longed for. In the same way, if you're always looking for experiences, possessions, or people to make you content, you will always remain unfulfilled. Contentment can only truly come through realigning your hopes and desires with Jesus, who patiently teaches that you can be content in any and every circumstance.

If you're looking to anything or anyone other than Christ to bring satisfaction, you may also need to go back to school. Because circumstances don't get to determine your contentment, you do.

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By: Brad Bergman