How Can I Have True Contentment?

God often speaks to me through worship songs. I am in awe of song writers who continue to put into words the greatness and majesty of God. There is never a shortage of new songs coming out that profoundly speak of who He is and express ways of worship that I can’t really articulate. One such song is a new one titled “Jireh” by Elevation and Maverick City Worship. It has been on repeat in my car and my home for the past few days and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon.

                The term “jireh” is Hebrew and translates into “He sees.” The basic point of the song is that God sees us and knows us, and He is truly all we need. One line in particular continues to stand out to me. I think it is God’s way of drawing my heart to something He wants to say. The line says, “I will be content in every circumstance, Jireh, You are enough.” This lyric always causes me to pause because I ask myself this question, “am I really content in every circumstance? Is He really enough?” Talk about a challenging thought!

                Were I to answer that question in all honesty, I don’t know if I could say yes. Not because I don’t want it to be true or desire that in my life, but because my thoughts and actions don’t always align with a “yes” response. If I look back on the challenging trials in my life, I don’t see contentment. The beautiful thing is that God does not beat me up emotionally for not feeling content. He lovingly works in the trials and guides me to His truth. This truth is that He is with me, He will sustain me, and He can give me that joy and peace in whatever the circumstance. My prayer and desire is that He would truly be all the contentment I need in every situation, happy or sad. He is more than enough to meet my needs and to see me through.

                So, God is doing this work in me, and you may be asking, how does this pertain to me? Every day I talk with people who are suffering, struggling and in pain. Were I to ask them if they are content I doubt many responses would be “yes.” However, I am sharing with you what God is speaking to me because I believe we can all have contentment and satisfaction in God because of who He is and how much He loves us. He is in every situation and longs to meet your needs if you will only give it all to Him. Learning contentment and sufficiency in God alone is a journey, one that I continue on and will probably do so the rest of my life. I want to encourage you, that even in the darkest of trials, allow yourself to be content in Him, to trust Him with the hard stuff, the pain, the sorrow, etc. I believe you will find as I have that Jireh is more than enough and will do amazing things in your life if you surrender to Him.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13