Trusting in God and Contentment – Are They Connected?

I recently read, something by Chuck Swindoll.  In it Chuck wrote regarding the Sovereignty of God, “I believed that God was mostly sovereign. But I came to see that this is sort of like saying that someone is mostly licensed to practice medicine.”  This got me to thinking about trust and I wondered do I trust in God, I mean really trust Him.  That line of thought led me to thinking about how I am discontented with a lot of stuff.  For example, I wish I lived on an island in the gulf with palm trees and fruity drinks all day every day.  Yes that is it I thought, on an island fruity drink in hand, sitting on the beach, the ocean breeze in my hair, yes then I would be content. 

That is a lie, I wouldn’t be content for long. Eventually I would find something wrong with it, like why are the HOA rules here so strict?  Then I would start to look at how can I fix my discontentedness.  Is that actually a real word?  Must be because spell check is not nagging me.  So that brings me back around to the trust question and right back to the sovereignty of God.  Do I believe he is sovereign?  My immediate answer is YES of course I do, as Balki Bartakmous (a fictional character from 80s sitcom Perfect Strangers) would say, “don’t be ridiculous!”

But do I really?  If I recognize God as sovereign then I recognize that He is in full control.  He is all knowing, all powerful, almighty and limitless. He is all powerful, He is in all of existence and is over all life the physical and the spiritual, the good and the evil.  Then I also must not stop there because God is also Love, he is fair, he is perfect and infinite in His Holiness and His Grace and Love for all humankind.  His Love for me and for you is so great that he sent his only Son to die for us. He is in full control, every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every month, every year… so why am I discontent?

Well, I have to admit it, I have not been recognizing that God is sovereign, I also have not been trusting in God, not really.  If I did I would know that as Paul said in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  I would know that I am not in control and thereby I cannot grant myself contentment.  Regardless of where I decide to live, or where I work or what I drive or what Church I attend, or what good or bad stuff is happening in my life.  I cannot make myself be content, I cannot will it, nor can I exert control to a level that I would be content. 

I should trust the he is in control and he is engaged in my life, because he has put me where I am for my good.  How do I know its for my good?  Because…  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16-17.   You know I find that I do believe in His sovereignty and in that I am capable of being content knowing he is in control.   Ok I can relax now and let him drive, what a novel idea that is! 

Closing prayer – Thank you Father that through all my doubts, and distrust and discontentment that you still love a person like me and that I can find contentment, love, strength and trust in you.

Peace in Christ be with you,

Phillip Allen