CLEARRLY Recovering - Blog #4
A word that keeps popping into my life this season is contentment. It was our word of the week for CLEARR Nights recovery community service. Contentment was a topic that came up in two of my men’s groups this week. It was also the word I wanted to key into the paint of the 2024 BMW that double parked and kept me from parking my 2013, 210,000-mile Ford truck in the perfect spot at Arby’s.
God gives me lots of opportunities to practice contentment. For instance, I live with three women. Before I begin getting letters from feminist groups, this is not a gender thing. You see, I don’t know what it’s like to live with other women, just these particular three. Two of them are my beautiful daughters, and one of them is my beautiful wife. I should be very content; however, I do have some thoughts…
Here’s a list of a few things that challenge me to be content:
They absolutely refuse to leave the toilet seat up.
Their request that I use a teleprompter when speaking to their friends, so as not to embarrass them. (Not a request from just my daughters, by the way.)
Being chastised when buying the wrong, already embarrassing product at the grocery store. “You bought the pink box with the green flowers on a grey field!? Those are for everyday use! I wanted the green box with grey flowers on a pink field! Those are the ones I use for cleaning trout and spelunking!”
1.65 cubic feet of personal space that doesn’t have a “scrunchie” in it.
Those are just a few instances that can challenge man’s eternal quest for contentment.
In all the searching, I had a revelation this week: I’ve been looking for comfort, not contentment. I really do think being content is being OK with being uncomfortable.
When we are in addiction, all we are searching for is comfort. We are looking for that release, and we find it for a very, very, very, very, very, very, very short time. The longer we use, the more “verys” you can add. Being content with what I have, rather than obsessing about what I don’t, is just a small part of being content. The other side of that coin is being OK with others having things that I don’t. It’s OK that others can go to a certain place and have a certain type of beverage. I can’t, I’m OK with that, I’m comfortable with that, or I’m uncomfortable with that, but I’m still content.
The reality is that addiction robs us of any and all chance at contentment.
So, what’s our practical application for gaining contentment? Community and service are a great starting point. Paul said it best,
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:12
I can’t.
He can.
I’ll let Him.
And remember, I can affect my today, I can allow God to mold my tomorrow, but even Jesus doesn’t change the past.