The Secret Of Contentment

I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Psalm 131:2

LEADERSHIP IS COSTLY. It requires imagination and courage. It involves managing crises, sorting out confusion, and handling conflict. And it’s no different when you walk into your house—you’re the spiritual leader of your family. When do you rest?

A long life of leadership can actually lead to stress addiction. For some, the thrill of the hunt—the adrenaline rush of closing the deal—brings a measure of satisfaction. But it never lasts. In the midst of struggle and heartache and stress, how do you care for your own heart? Porn, food, and alcohol are ways that some men “self-soothe.” These things will alter our minds and may give a temporary sense of comfort. But they are not honorable.

Political and military leaders know stress, and King David certainly had his fill of it. In between military campaigns against the Philistines; dodging his would-be assassin, King Saul; and a personal scandal that rocked his world, David learned how to comfort his soul. We can learn the secret from him.

David said that he calmed and quieted himself “like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.” In other words, he cultivated a quiet heart by resting in the Lord’s presence. We, too, can learn the secret of contentment. We can turn from dishonorable comforters to “the source of all comfort” who “comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

BOTTOM LINE

Ask God to help you find honorable ways to rest in Him alone.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 131