Be Content.

You’ve probably heard it said many times. Your mom has said it. Your Pastor has said it. Your teacher has said it. Your best friend has said it. “Be content with where you are.” That’s honestly much easier said than done sometimes. It isn’t always easy to be content with where you are when where you are isn’t where you really want to ultimately be. So, what do we do with that? How do we balance the two worlds of being truly content with where we are but at the same time knowing that there is always more?

I believe that it all has to start with your perspective. Perspective can be a funny thing. Have you ever flown on an airplane? Or have you ever stood at the top of a tall building and looked down? Everything looks smaller. Big houses look like Lego blocks and people walking on the street look like ants. Now, if you were to be standing right there in front of those houses or those people, they would all look normal. They would be a normal size and they would have normal features, but because you are higher up, you can see everything from a different perspective. This changes the way that everything appears. However, the only thing that has actually changed is your position, your outlook, your perspective. This is where it has to begin in order for you to be able to see the whole picture. Yes, it is good to be aware of what is right in front of you, but it is imperative that you don’t focus on only that.

When you choose to see circumstances from a different perspective, the way you feel about those circumstances will change too. Your overall contentment can be determined solely by your perspective.

Now, balancing that with knowing that there is more for you than where you currently are? Well, maybe you can start by asking yourself, “what is this season of my life teaching me about the next season?” Or, “how can I make the most out of where I am now?” Or “how does my current situation fit into the whole of my life?” Just because you aren’t in the most ideal situation or season right now doesn’t mean that you can’t learn from it, grow from it, and be better because of it. Always keep your future self in mind. It’s about more than just where you are, it is also about where you’re going. Where you are can be preparing you for where you’re going if you choose to see it rightly.

So be content with where you are. It is possible to be satisfied with where you are while also consistently moving in a forward motion. It is possible to be happy with where you are while also working towards all that you want to be. It may not be easy, it may not always be fun, but be content. Hold onto those dreams and visions that you have, and figure out how this current season of your life can grow you into the person that you need to be in order to achieve those things. Shift your perspective, look forward, and learn to be content in whatever season of life you’re in.