This New Normal
Finding Peace and Contentment Where We Are
Philippians 4:11b (ESV)
For I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
People are being careless and circumstances are uncertain. Who can think of contentment at a time like this? There seem to be more questions looming on social media, news reports, and social circles than answers. But God is a God of certainty and He has a plan for helping us find peace and contentment where we are- in our new normal.
What is the definition of contentment? Dictionary.com defines ‘contentment’ as ‘ease of mind’ and ‘satisfaction’. Merriam-Webster defines ‘contentment’ as ‘freedom from worry or restlessness’. So, we can achieve contentment with God that allows us to be worry free and satisfied as we adjust to the changes of the day.
How do we achieve contentment with God? When we embrace the fact that God loves us and is actively working for His glory and our benefit, we can trust Him to handle everything- EVERYTHING! From a position of trust, we don’t have to look to the right or to the left. There will be no need to wish for something other than what He has provided or convince ourselves of things that are not true. His peace is our security. HE is our security. From that position we can be sure that He will take care of us.
We can experience peace and contentment with God (and in our lives) when we:
- Consistently pray.
There’s a lot of information coming at us everyday- which mask to wear, what sanitizer to use, best e-learning options, and social distancing suggestions. And it goes on and on. Quieting the noise of the day has never been more important than it is now. We have to do the work of communicating with Him and then listen as He speaks.
- Practice gratitude.
Contentment and gratitude go together. Being grateful sets our minds and hearts in the right space to think more clearly and experience encouragement more regularly. When we are grateful we are available to new understandings and experiences as they teach us what’s really important about life and living.
- Control our thoughts.
Our thoughts can roam into very scary and self-sabotaging places. The book, “Where The Wild Things Are” (by Mauice Sendak) comes to mind. We often make mischief in our minds by taking our imaginations where they ought not go. We can reign in our thoughts and choose to be good to ourselves by accepting God’s transforming, fulfilling, life-honoring trajectory.
- Avoid making comparisons and judgments.
Nothing good comes from comparisons or judgments. When we compare or judge we actually reveal more about our own personal needs and insecurities than anything else. This pandemic season should be teaching us to be fierce about taking care of our own affairs. There’s no time to waste on unproductive and devaluing activities and there’s no time like the present to focus on the matters that matter.
- Spend wisely.
We spend time and money everyday. The way we engage these activities says a lot about what we value and truly want in life. We’re less content when we’re financially unstable and we have less peace when we insist on continually vegging out out meaningless activities and conversations. Rest and work need to be balanced, but our minds need good, productive rest and our funds need to work for us and not against us.
- Be available.
One of the most productive ways to find peace and contentment is to focus on being there for others. When the Bible tells us that we receive when we give and we reap when we sow it highlights the value of selflessness. Selflessness opens the door to peace, fulfillment, and contentment by taking the attention off of us and what we want or need, and attending to the needs of another.
- Be satisfied.
No matter what’s happening around us, or in the world, things could actually be worse. As one of my cousins says, “One person complains for no shoes and the other person complains for no feet”. Sometimes we are where we are because we made poor choices. Sometimes we’re exactly where God wants us. Either way, we need to trust Him to be with us and take care of us. God will respond.
- Dream more often (and take action)
Lots of good comes out of calamity. Businesses are born when people are “hungry” to make life work. Creative avenues open when you least expect it. Now is the time to dream. A good place to start is to think of the one thing we would do with our lives even if we received no paycheck for doing it. Then we should listen to the passion of our hearts.
Life is meant to be lived well. We can find ways to practice contentment and live in peace everyday despite the challenges. We will live well when we are confident in God’s ability to take care of everything we are concerned about and when we trust that He is right here with us.
Prayer
Lord, Thank you for the assurance of your presence. Teach us to trust you each day and to rely on you to address every issue- big or small. Help us to be satisfied with the way you work in our lives and to look forward to new things You will do. We want to practice living in peace and contentment everyday.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Live well,
Michele
Amen Chele! Yes, God is our security. He is right here in the midst of this new normal with each of us. Lord, enable me to keep my eyes on You. Let my perspective be heavenward. Amen.
Mon- We have to fight to keep our perspective. Thanks for the prayer.
AMEN AMEN very encouraging. Something to be mindful of each day upon arising💜
We need daily encouragement, Ms. Michele.