Ever been excited to receive a raise, a bonus or a big sale in your business? You hit a huge financial goal you worked so hard to achieve. But then... a day or two later, you became overwhelmed with the feelings that amount is 'Not Enough'?
It’s like no matter what you achieve, that feeling of contentment is just out of reach. You’re not alone— as I've strived to receive a larger corporate salary, I felt with each raise that finally I would have 'Enough' as a single mother with 2 sons. But the feelings quickly faded. I just knew starting my own accounting business alongside working my corporate career would be the answer, but with each client the financial gain was quickly diminished by the overwhelm of stress. Many of us get caught in the cycle of always striving for more. Whether it is to get our children first a stable life, then a better life, then a life we see on social media that other mothers can give their children, it just always feels like what we have is 'Never Enough'.
But what if true contentment isn’t about how much but how we view and manage what we already possess?
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11, NIV)
This verse written by the Apostle Paul made me stop and think about my own challenges with the word "Content". It has always seemed like a word not in my vocabulary because I was always striving for more. From a young age and all through my schooling, it was always about achievement and reaching for success. The word "Content" always felt boring or lazy to me.
However, as I started studying the history behind Paul's letter to the Christians of Philippi, I was struck with the profound realization of how wrong I was. When Paul wrote these words, he was not in a beautiful garden, palace or even a home; he was imprisoned, awaiting trial, and chained to Roman guards. Despite these circumstances, he boldly declares that he has learned to be content. How many of us think we would write a letter about being content from prison? Most of us rarely can even write a sentence about being content in our current circumstances.
Paul’s contentment he wrote about, however, wasn’t about the common Greek philosophy of the time that taught self-reliance was the key to happiness. The Stoic’s believed that being content was when a person became self-sufficient. However Paul’s contentment was rooted in his reliance on God, who provided him with everything he needed.
Just this past weekend, I saw a beautiful example of this in my own life. My husband, who struggles daily with spinal pain and neurological health issues, spent a precious hours with his sons as they visited us for the weekend. His joy wasn’t tied to anything material—it came from simply being able to stand, walk, and enjoy time with his kids with minimal pain. He was content because he focused on the blessings right in front of him, not on what he lacked.
Now, think about your own life. What are the simple blessings that you might be overlooking? Maybe it’s the roof over your head, the food on your table, or the love of family and friends. When we start focusing on these things, contentment becomes more attainable.
As you've probably heard before, let's stop comparing our lives to the highlight reels we see on social media and start operating daily in Faith that God has given us exactly the amount, the Enough we need in this season.
Paul’s words remind us that contentment isn’t about our circumstances; it’s about our mindset. He discovered the secret to being content, whether he had plenty or little: trusting in God’s sufficiency. This trust allows us to Break the Cycle of Never Enough, knowing that God provides exactly what we need.
If this resonates with you, I dive deeper in Philippians 4:11-12 along with Actions Steps to Start this Week in my new Newsletter, The Wealthy Word on LinkedIn! Subscribe & Join me each Sunday.
Let’s break the cycle together, trusting that God will provide all we need, right when we need it and it is perfectly the Enough He has planned.
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