Marriage & Motherhood Only Amplified My Discontentment

Being married will not solve your struggle with contentment. You will move from a single sister-in-Christ battling contentment, to a married sister-in-Christ battling contentment. Marriage and motherhood will not fix anything, only amplify what is already hidden in your heart.  

Ask me how I know - how I went from discontent in singleness, to discontent in marriage, motherhood, and everything in between. I was discontent because I was self-focused, living to glorify myself rather than God, viewing my desires as more important. My outlook always ended up being, “I need/want ________ to be happy & fulfilled.” Let me tell you, the days were hard. My relationships suffered. My mental health dwindled. Nothing was good enough because I didn’t see Christ as good enough. I wanted Him AND whatever unmet desire was on my heart at the time.

Remember the book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein? It was a childhood favorite of mine but now I read it with a heavenly perspective. The tree gave and gave to make the boy happy, and the boy took and took, until the tree had nothing. The tree should have fashioned the Book of Truth so the boy would have everlasting joy and contentment. That is the ultimate gift, sisters, not to take like that boy in the story. Not to elevate yourself, or seek fulfillment in the world, or in the roles you dream of having….but to intimately know and humbly serve our Lord. Jesus Christ gave up His riches and splendor, and came to earth, using His freedom to serve others and obeying the Father’s will for His life. He borrowed a place to be born, a boat to preach in, a tomb to lay in, yet He lacked nothing. If you have Christ, you have everything. 

Overcome your struggle with contentment now, before marriage, by trusting in God’s divine providence in your life, and finding satisfaction in Him alone. You can yank out the dissatisfaction and self-led thoughts by cultivating a thankful attitude. Our hearts should be overflowing with gratitude when we look to Calvary (Colossians 2:6-7). Continuously praise God for what He has blessed you with now, and be ready to serve Him where He has placed you in this moment. 

Here are some verses to memorize and reflect on:

Psalm 86:12-13

Psalm 118:19-21

Psalm 33:1-5

Psalm 9:1-2

Psalm 79:13

Psalm 109:30

Psalm 95:1-7

James 1:17-18

Philemon 1:4-6

Luke 17:11-18

Jonah 2:7-9

Colossians 1:12-14

-Samantha Sali

http://samanthasali.com/

P.S. From Madison:

Boy, I think we all struggles with discontent at times in life! If you're currently struggling and could use a heart tune up, try doing my free, one-week Heart Tune-up Challenge!