The key to a peaceful heart & mind is contentment

March 8, 2015 by Amy Darcy 6 Comments

Lately, I have been really enjoying Michelle Myers’ blog. She a woman who beautifully weaves together her faith and love for fitness into an encouraging blog. She has reminded me of how our spiritual and mental health can largely impact our ability to reach our physical fitness goals. What particularly stood out to me this week was this post on her instagram regarding the power of contentment (take note of her comment):

Following on from what you can see in her comment above, she says:

‘So today, no matter where you are – your strength to overcome your struggle will be unleashed when you decide to be content with where God has you NOW. Not 10 lbs. from now or a 6-pack away, but NOW. ‘

That thought brought me a lot of peace and I found myself thinking about how to actually find contentment in all situations, as Paul (the writer) says he did. In vs 12-13, Paul says:

Image via; quote via Philippians 4:12-13

Wouldn’t life be easier if you found the secret to being satisfied in ALL situations?

Can we really be content in all circumstances?

I think we can take encouragement from the fact that Paul says he learnt this skill. It’s not something we attain automatically. To learn something, it takes practice. Practice must be consistent, through the good and the bad of life, otherwise you will forget what you have learnt and revert to old habits.

What are some practical life points to gaining contentment?

CHOOSE to be satisfied with where you are each day and what you have – This requires action on your behalf. No one else can make that choice for you (I have to remind myself often of this hard lesson). You must make the choice and the changes will follow with consistent practice at living out this choice.
Stop comparing yourself to others – ‘we all have difference gifts according to the grace given to us’ (Romans 12:6), we aren’t all made the same and what a boring place the world would be if we were. Focus on using the gifts you have been given, rather than wishing you were different.
give thanks in all circumstances (Psalm 106:1) – you can ALWAYS find something to be thankful for and it is a wonderful thing to be able to move your mind and heart to these things.
Trust God’s promise to Strengthen his children in difficult times and that he has a GOOD plan for those who love him and have him as king of their lives (Romans 8:28)
Look out for the interests of others and be generous (Phillipians 2: 3-4) – it is amazing how easy it is to forget your own problems when you look for how you can help someone else. Don’t forget about the opportunity you have to give to woman in poverty here as I walk 100km to raise funds for CARE Australia.
Speak aloud truths to yourself – remind yourself aloud that you are content with what you have today and remind yourself that you are valued by friends, family and your heavenly father just the way you are. Physical change is great but they will not love you any more because of it!

What other tips do you have to find contentment? Do you also find it hard to be content in every situation?

Amy Darcy

Editor & Founder at Eat Pray Workout

Amy is the founder and editor of Eat Pray Workout. She is an Australian lawyer, army wife, health & fitness lover and Mum. Sharing her passion for a holistic and realistic approach to wellbeing and fitness, her mission is to inform, inspire & empower women to live a flourishing healthy lifestyle.

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Comments

Sally says
March 11, 2015 at 1:49 pm
I actually find it very hard to be content sometimes. It's even harder when I know that the scriptures tell me to calm down and be content, but I feel I can't. Having people rush to throw Matt 6:25 at me is no help either, but only makes me feel worse. Having done a law degree (like you) and worked in a firm, I've concluded that it's not for me; but what to do? I'm not by nature easy going and calm, so I really struggle to find that peace and contentment. How do you know law is what you want to spend your life doing?
Reply
- Amy Darcy says
  March 12, 2015 at 3:06 pm
  Hey Sally, You sound very similar to me. You know what the scriptures say to do - but making that happen are two different things. Its head v heart knowledge. Lately, with the things I struggle with I find a good christian girlfriend and tell her how I am feeling. Tell her my frustrations that God says be this way, but I just don't seem to be! Sometimes I'll even go as far as accusing God that he isn't helping me. Of course deep down I know that's never true. Its my lack of trust that I need to confess. Life is just tough sometimes, but God's love is constant. James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." I have seen this in action this week so powerfully! Friends prayers make a difference. Another area which I've found helpful is realising that I am far more capable than my feelings tell me and I have the ability to use my thoughts change those feelings. For instance, when I am feeling anxious and think there is no chance I will be content as I am, where I am, I begin to think 'I will not worry, I can do this, God has promised me he's got me in his hands.' I might not believe it or feel it at first, but the more I reinforce the thought through repetition the more I will believe it. You too have the power to put your thoughts above your feelings. A friend once challenged me not to put my thoughts/feelings above Gods. Would what you are thinking/feeling be the way God thinks/feels or the way he wants you to think/feel? Remind yourself of your value in him. This bring me to my last point - do things in life that bring you joy! If law isn't for you, thats okay! God, your friends and family love you, with or without law. If you need to find another job (whether a different firm or field) - that's ok too. You are valued for being a daughter of the most high king - made righteous through Christ, not because you are a lawyer. If you were able to be a lawyer then you clearly have enough brains to do plenty of other things too. Seek counsel from wise friends and family as you make the decision of where to go next. In answer to your question, some days I wonder if it is right for me either. But I ask God that and every time I try to get out of it completely he always opens a door to keep going with extra support or shows me he has a purpose in what I am going. There have been some aspects where doors have closed after prayer and thats ok too. I don't know whether I will spend my life being a practicing solicitor or whether I will go into politics or something completely different or even be a full time Mum. All of these excite me, because I know that wherever I end up it will be God's plan for me. I will keep knocking on doors and he will open or close them according to his plan, if I seek him. Does that help Sally?? All the best, Amy xo
  Reply
  - Sally says
    March 14, 2015 at 6:40 pm
    Hi Amy, What you've said is actually really helpful. I can only hope that I keep growing in Christ. I really love your blog and how I can see how you are growing in Christ. It's really inspiring. Please keep on writing.
    Reply
    - Amy Darcy says
      March 15, 2015 at 9:20 am
      Hey Sally, Thanks for your encouraging comment! You will keep growing, just like me. We're sisters in this together and I prayed for peace for you on my walk this morning :) Feel free to email me if you have any more specific prayer points. Have a wonderful weekend and remember to rest. xx
      Reply
Wholesome Road says
April 27, 2015 at 10:06 am
Beautiful reminders, Amy! Thanks so much for sharing :) I think we'd be a whole lot more content if we all take at least a couple of breaths every day to slow down, appreciate and accept all that we have. Life is really wonderful and we're all so privileged. Love that your blog is your commitment to a healthy lifestyle and you're inspiring others to do the same! Thanks for posting about this!
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April 30, 2017 at 10:59 am
[…] you soon burn out, give up and remain discontent. So to help us actually reach our goals we need to be content with where we find ourselves each day and one way we do this is by working on being kinder to […]
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