Black Friday sales have been going on for the past three weeks. Since Halloween, my email inbox has been flooded every day with sales announcements from seemingly every retailer who has my email.

Now there isn’t anything wrong with saving money on our purchases, especially as we’re looking for gifts for others. But I’ve noticed in my own heart that what should be a season of intentional thankfulness and reflection on all the provision and blessings God has already given, is now interrupted by desires for things that I “need” that I had hardly thought about before I saw a well-placed advertisement.

“Yes, I would like to purchase that book with one click. Thanks for suggesting it Amazon.”

“My boots are still in pretty good shape but look at the price reduction on this pair. What a deal!”

Or maybe you’ve been scrolling through your friends’ posts on Facebook and saw an experience they had caused a twinge of envy or a wish that you could have that experience too.

My heart struggles with discontent and I find it especially true during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season when the richness and fullness of my life in Christ should be more top of mind than ever.

It feels easy to blame our current materialistic culture for driving this discontent, but discontent is nothing new. The Bible speaks to New Testament Believers who struggled with discontent just like we do. So it’s not a product of an advertising saturated world but a condition of the human heart.

But what is the antidote? What is contentment and how do we find it?

My Bible dictionary says that contentment is “internal satisfaction that does not demand changes in external circumstances.”[1]

The writer of Hebrews says,

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:6-8,

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

Paul also thanks the Philippian church for their financial support but adds,

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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 this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:10-13)

I’m sure you know verse 13 above. While this verse could be true about many different things, how interesting that in the original context of the letter Paul is writing about contentment.

I think the antidote to discontent is thankfulness and trust in God’s promises.

As the Hebrews passages says, we can be content because God will never leave us or forsake us. Our contentment is not based on outward conditions but a heart that trusts God. Here are a few more reminders:

• God made us and we are His (Psalm 100:3)
• God is good, and His love is never ending. (Psalm 118:1)
• Our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20)
• God will meet all our needs (Philippians 4:19)
• God gives us peace when we’re anxious (Philippians 4:6-7)
• God cares about us and can handle all our fears. (1 Peter 5:7)
• God provides so that we can abound in good works (2 Corinthians 9:8)
• God loves us so much He sent Jesus for us. (John 3:16)

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, may your heart be filled with thankfulness and contentment. No matter what is going on in your life, I pray that God will remind you of who He is, how much He loves you, that He will provide what you need, and will calm your anxieties.

We are thankful for you friends and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

[1] “Contentment”, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.