I recently watched a TED talk in which Shawn Achor discussed happiness and success. He pointed out that if we measure happiness by successes in our life and external determiners, we have to keep upping the ante. Thus, we are never really happy. If we reach the goal that determines success, we have to push the standard higher or come up with a new goal. We start over and are always lacking. If, however, we turn it around and learn to be content in our circumstances, we can be happy before we become “successful” in whatever terms we use for that.
Finding contentment is difficult, especially in a culture which pushes us to be better, faster, stronger, richer, more powerful and more successful than the next person. Comparison is the enemy of contentment. If we are comparing to someone else to determine how much better or worse we are, we don’t find rest.
I love watching others be content. Like when my kids are completely satisfied by hunting for bugs under every rock in the back yard, exclaiming at the worms, centipedes and roly polys they find in perfect happiness. When my dog sleeps (snoring loudly) next to me on the couch, just wanting the closeness and comfort. When friends don’t feel the urge to rush away but sit together enjoying the conversation and connection as long as they can.
Paul talks about contentment as a result of being trained in the secret of overcoming all things-- good, bad or ugly. (Philippians 4:11-13) He sees that Christ’s explosive power within us is able to conquer every difficulty. So often in life, we try to focus on changing the problematic circumstance so that we can find victory. But Paul is talking about finding victory in the middle of the situation, not because he has been freed from it. He is saying that he has found contentment whether he is in hunger or fullness, lack or abundance.
Whatever the situation is in which we find ourselves, we often want relief from the hardships. And we think that the rest will come when we are released from the difficulty. But Jesus turns this on its head and says that we will find rest IN the difficulty. When His power is our source, we can be content in ANY circumstance.
Now, I would rather the problem be over, to be honest. But I am seeing that even when the healing doesn’t come, the change doesn’t happen, the finances look bleak, the rejection is fresh—His strength is still enough for finding a place of contentment. His presence makes a difference in my mess.
I found it interesting how this man giving the TED talk suggested retraining the brain to find happiness not dependent on success—gratitude, exercise, journaling, service and meditation. I would suggest that all these things are found in the Bible. As we are thankful in all things, record the good that He has done, serve others cheerfully, meditate on His word and take care of our body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are allowing God to renew our minds. This isn’t just positive thinking, but it’s actually recognizing the truth of the love God has for us and the source of Life we have in Him.
This is the secret to overcoming all things, and to overcoming while still in the situation. When I look at Jesus and He is my focus, the problems don’t dissolve, but they look much less daunting with a different perspective. Don’t let your problems drown you. Look past them to the Source of contentment and allow Him to be your rest.
I’m not telling you this because I’m in need, for I have learned to be satisfied in any circumstance. I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty. Philippians 4:11-13