Content or Discontent?

As front offices and fan bases evaluate how their team is doing at this point in the NFL season, they get a sense or feeling about the state of their franchise. To put it simply, their mindset is either content or discontent, depending on where they're at and where they're heading. 

The definition of content is "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."

Using these two differing terms, let's guess how teams are feeling right now.

The Seahawks and Rams are content with 7-2 records and a chance to win the NFC West, but they remain hungry to win the Super Bowl.

The Browns, Titans, and Cardinals are all discontent with how poorly their teams are playing and face significant uncertainty about their franchises' futures.

The Bears, Patriots, and Chargers 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 Bucs (6-3) are still content with leading the NFC South, as the rest of the division is struggling, and are satisfied with Baker Mayfield as their franchise quarterback. 

The Chiefs should be content with how many Super Bowls they've won in recent years, but they're discontent with their 5-4 record and a third-place spot in the AFC West.

The Giants were discontent with head coach Brian Daboll, so they made a change by firing him earlier this week.

The Panthers, Jaguars, Bills, and Packers 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 with good reasons to be content at this point in the season, while still desiring to grow, get better, and keep going.

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 leave us discontent. We want more of everything else (money, possessions, pleasure, and power), and we're unhappy when we aren't "winning" more according to the world's ways or our selfish desires. 

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. We quickly 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 God wants to change in us or in our circumstances. 

The challenge for us is to know the difference between being dissatisfied because we don't have everything we want or because things aren't going exactly how we think they should, versus being restless because God is asking us to make significant changes. 

Sometimes we're losing in life because we've been disobedient, 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, our contentment lies not in circumstances but in our Cornerstone. When we rest in Jesus, entrust our lives to Him, 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 get our strength from Jesus to remain content with the life God has generously and graciously given us. Let’s also be mindful that He gave us His Son so that we can have peace about our eternity. 

Lastly, just as NFL teams in a good spot right now are content but not complacent, let's take a similar approach as we seek God, desiring to grow, get better, keep going, and continue becoming more like Jesus.

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 remain content regardless of what's happening, as I trust in You and rely on Christ for strength. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.