Contentment, Even Here

From Briannagrams: Gianna Reeter joins us to share her testimony of how she found contentment, even in the middle of daily life.

Contentment, Even Here

One morning last year, I remember looking around and thanking God for the answered prayers in front of me. We had moved back to the Midwest from Colorado, we bought our first home, we recently welcomed our son, and I was making new mom friends at church.

Specific prayers, answered.

And still, despite this faithful provision from God right in front of me, a darkness hovered in my heart: discontentment.

Discontentment

Discontentment? I prayed our family could move to this city. I prayed to God for a house. God was kind and provided in many ways, and it still was not enough?

The truth is, discontentment was not new to me. There was a pattern I recognized growing within and I prayed to God to help me with this more than once. I knew pride had taken root somewhere in my heart, and it led to comparison, to envy, and to discontentment.

Isn’t it easy to get caught up scrolling on our phones instead of spending time in the presence of Jesus? We see the highlight reel of others’ lives on social media and compare it to our own normal days. Discontentment can grow like a weed when we allow it.

But, just like God heard my answered prayers, He heard this prayer to help me with my discontentment as well.

Prayers Answered

Because suddenly, life changed.

A few months after purchasing our new home, we discovered alarming, undisclosed damage. My infant son and I ended up moving two and a half hours away to live with family while my husband coordinated countless repairs that were completed in the coming months.

Now, I was away from the home I had wanted, away from my husband most of the week, from the community I had prayed for, and from the new life I was excited to build with my family. And it was not just a week or two; we are still in it many months later.

Why, God?

All of these beautiful things were suddenly being taken away. There were moments I was angry with God. I was confused. I was exhausted. Why, God? Lord—how long?

I wanted our routines back; I wanted to attend the Momco sessions I signed up for. I wanted to sleep next to my husband at night, every night.

My normal days and my answered prayers all looked different now.

Still, somewhere in the middle of all this, God began to show me what it truly meant to release it all to Him. Not just say it, but truly release it to Him.

Releasing Discontentment

I had to release the discontentment and the picture of what I thought my life should look like. So, I surrendered it all.

And once again, life changed.

When I released this discontentment to God, I saw Him turn the tough things into good things. Over the months, my contentment truly grew.

I no longer cared if we owned or rented our house. I didn’t care about my old plans. All I wanted was to snuggle up with my husband and our son, wherever home was.

My prayers sounded different; there was more gratitude. I craved a simpler life and left many self-centered dreams behind. I didn’t want them anymore.

Answered Prayers

Once again, He answered my prayer.

During this season, I considered Paul. Even in Roman imprisonment and through many other afflictions, he knew contentment because he had strength through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:12-13). He says, “I have learned…” We learn contentment, and it is possible because we have Christ in us.

Now, when I hear the enemy trying to whisper comparisons, stirring up discontentment in my heart, I stop and name it: “This is not from God.” I replace it with a moment of gratitude.

Some may think more things, more money, or different circumstances will bring joy. But I found the opposite to be true. Less made me more content, even in the valley. Less made me more grateful for my people; it made me care less about the earthly house I had and more about the eternal home I have in Jesus.

God was firm but kind with me as He continually showed me how to release it all to Him this past year. Things are coming together now, and our days look brighter. We fixed and sold the house. We are making plans with Jesus at the center of it all, and we truly have a joy that can only be found in Him.

Satisfy us in the morning with your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all of our days. (Psalm 90:14 ESV)

Meet Gianna

Gianna Reeter is a follower of Jesus, a wife, and a mama to one sweet boy. She has a heart for encouraging women in their faith and pointing them straight to Jesus. Through her writing and ministry, Every Morning Ministries, she hopes to remind women of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and presence in every season.

Website: www.everymorningministries.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/everymorningministries/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everymorningministries/

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