With the NFL at the midway point of the season, we can guess as to how the front offices and fan bases are feeling about the state of their franchise right now. Of course, they’re either content or discontent with where they’re at and the direction they’re heading.
Content is defined as “in a state of peaceful happiness or a state of satisfaction.” Discontent means “a lack of contentment or dissatisfaction with one’s circumstances or a lack of satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.”
The whole AFC North is content with everyone having at least five wins and a chance to win the division, but they remain hungry because all four teams want to win the Super Bowl.
The Panthers, Bears, Bucs, Giants, and Cardinals are all discontent with how poorly their teams are playing and have major uncertainty surrounding their franchises’ future.
The Jaguars, Texans, Eagles, and Chiefs are all content because they have a franchise cornerstone at the quarterback position to build around and they each know they’re on the right path moving forward - despite being at different stages of the journey.
Although they lost on Sunday, I think the Dolphins (6-3) are still content to be leading the AFC East with their electric offense and are satisfied with their head coach and franchise quarterback.
The Patriots should be content because of how victorious they’ve been, winning six Super Bowls, but they find themselves discontent with Bill Belichick.
The Raiders were discontent with former Belichick assistant, Josh McDaniels, so they made a drastic change by firing their head coach and went on to win yesterday.
The Rams, Broncos, Colts, Titans, and Commanders must be discontent with their inconsistency and up-and-down seasons so far.
Let’s face it, unless a team wins the Super Bowl every season, chances are nobody is ever content! But, as we can see, there are plenty of teams that have good reasons to be content midway through the season while also remaining hungry to grow and get better.
When it comes to our own lives, are we content or discontent with the “state of the franchise” right now? Are we peacefully satisfied with where we’re at in life or are we discontent with our circumstances because we lack satisfaction with our possessions, status, and situations?
As followers of Jesus, we know who our “franchise” cornerstone and anchor is, and Who to build our life around. When we follow Him, we know we’re heading in the right direction. This should lead to contentment, right? Yes!
Unfortunately, we allow recent “losses” or undesirable circumstances to cause us to be discontent. We want more of everything else (money, possessions, and power) and we’re unhappy when we aren’t “winning” more according to the world’s ways.
Yet, Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) tells us, “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’”
Sadly, we aren’t satisfied unless we’re “winning Super Bowls” every year. How quickly we forget how victorious we truly are in Christ and how in Him and from Him we have everything we need.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:19-20 (NLT), “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
One other thing to consider is, that when we’re discontent with our lives, it may point to something that God wants to change in us or our circumstances.
The challenge for us is to know the difference between being dissatisfied because we don’t have everything we want, or things aren’t going exactly how we think they should go, versus being restless because God is asking us to make significant changes.
Sometimes we’re losing in life because we’ve been disobedient and made the wrong decisions and are discontent with where we’re at. These are the times we must turn to God to help us get on track and go in a different direction. We can’t be content and at peace if we aren’t following Jesus, obeying Him, having the proper fear/reverence of Him, and trusting Him.
Proverbs 19:23 (NIV) explains, “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
Ultimately, contentment isn’t based on circumstances, but rather on our Cornerstone. When we rest in Jesus, allow Him to be in charge of our lives, and depend on His strength, then contentment is possible.
Paul describes his experience in Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT): “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Today, let’s be encouraged to remain content with the life God has generously and graciously given us, and most importantly, be mindful that He gave us His Son, so we can have peace about our eternity.
I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for focusing on my circumstances and being discontent with where things are at. Help me to remain content regardless of what’s happening as I trust in You and rely on Christ to give me strength. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. In what ways do you need to ask God to help you with your discontentment? 2. What would it look like for you to be content in your current situation?
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