Dear Believer,

The need to find satisfaction in our lives is something all humanity shares. We have deficits in our lives that we try so hard to fill. Satisfaction in our careers, in parenthood, marriage, etc. Even as believers, it can be a struggle to be satisfied and content. In continuation of my November blog, I wanted to add some practical ways of building up our ability to find that desperately needed satisfaction we all crave.

1. Develop consistent, daily time with God.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

Making our relationship with God our top priority is the most important step we can take to feel satisfied. It absolutely takes effort, but we must discipline ourselves to seek the LORD daily. To pray to Him, read His Word and have communion with Him. Make it a point to know Him. This doesn’t come from osmosis, just like you can not be nourished by just looking or holding a plate of food. You must partake of it. You must take the time to sit, eat, chew and swallow. In the case of developing a true relationship with God, we must sit at His feet, speak with Him, listen, and meditate on what He is saying to you through “chewing” on His Word. Consistently, and daily.

2. Get in the habit of memorization of Scripture
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I may not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

The way we store up His word in our hearts is to know it and remember it. One study found that people remember 10%
of what they hear, 20% of what they read, and 30% of what they see. What percentage do we remember when we memorize? 100%! When we memorize God’s word, we have internalized what we have heard, read and seen. This habit reaps amazing results when we begin to feel unsatisfied and discontented. Donald s. Whitney, in his book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, writes, “The Word of God is the ‘sword of the Spirit’, but the Holy Spirit cannot give you a weapon you have not stored in the armory of your mind.” We must build up an armory with verses to combat any temptation to feel unsatisfied.

3. Do spiritual inventory of your discontent.
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you- unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Cor. 13:5

Ask yourself these questions:

• What do I most complain about?
• What do I get angry about?
• Where am I most sensitive?
• Am I responding to dissatisfaction with the fruit of the Spirit?
• Am I filtering my feelings against the standards of Scripture?

Doing a prayerful inventory and examining our heart, motives and focus will help not only acknowledge what is happening but can prevent these ungodly attitudes from springing up.

4. Recognize beforehand when these situations arise and put on your spiritual armor.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand…” Ephesians 6:11-13

The attitude of dissatisfaction is a sin that goes back to the sin that got Lucifer thrown out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-14). And ever since has used this same weakness to tempt us to sin against our God. He convinced Adam and Eve to be dissatisfied with a perfect situation. They had it all: a perfect relationship with God, each other, and creation. Yet, the ancient serpent sowed the seed of discontentment that led to disobedience and the fall of humanity. So we must guard ourselves against this seemingly “small” negative thought and fight it with the armor of God. As a believer in Christ, we are His forever, that is secure. Yet, we are to fight while we are in this world, all that keeps us from living victoriously satisfied in the LORD.

5. Reach out.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16

Accountability is a wonderful thing. It is a tool in the Christian life that should not be underutilized. If and when you know that dissatisfaction is a problem in your life, reach out to a trusted believer. One in which you can share and confess. A confessed sin loses its power and hold over a person because it is shared and prayed over. Don’t wait until this sin has infiltrated all the areas of your life.

6. Give God thanksgiving and praise.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

Remembering that the things of this world will never satisfy our deepest desires, thank the LORD he has revealed this to you. In so doing, he has revealed that only he will satisfy. John Piper writes, “Unhappiness, on earth, cultivates a hunger for heaven. By gracing us with a deep dissatisfaction, God holds our attention.” This is a reason for thanksgiving. God is giving us the grace to see the truth. That he is the controller and center of all things. He is our life’s purpose, joy and satisfaction. Everything else will always be second best. We can stop striving and focus our longings and desires on the true Source of complete satisfaction.

All of the above require real effort. It is not humanly possible to be disciplined to always do what God requires of us, but we must remember that God’s Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts, inclining our desires to the desire of God’s heart. He makes the impossible possible. It begins with consistently seeking him and trusting in faith he will give us all we need. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” And what does he reward us with? Not only with eternal life but with the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). I encourage you dear believer, you will never be disappointed in placing God as your first Priority. It is his rightful place in all creation. Let it be his rightful place in your heart.

The LORD be with you,

Bianca