Dissatisfaction Has A Voice ... by Ama Afriyie-Jenkins

“We have a “profit” that is greater than theirs—our holy awe of God! To have merely our necessities is to have enough.” (1 Timothy 6:6 TPT)

The secret to happiness in life is not in wistful thinking; perhaps if this, this, and that happens, then I’ll be content. These are lies suggested by the enemy. We are designed as insatiable beings— nothing in this world can ever satisfy us. To emphasize this point, those who already have what we strongly desire are still not the happiest people on earth. Truthfully, when we finally get our utmost desires fulfilled, our insatiable appetite is triggered again and we begin to feel discontent and search for more gratification. Sadly, this is a never-ending cycle.

Do we sometimes feel like someone else is living in our answered prayers? We look over to their fence and they have received what we constantly pray for. How many of us can truly admit, “I want the grass growing on my neighbor’s property.” From our limited perspective, it’s even more disconcerting to see that they incessantly complain and don’t even value it that much. Our deepest longings are always a mirage and unhappiness finds us wanting a life we don’t have. The dismal truth is that what we need for an adequate human existence is not found in lavish places or things or lofty ideas but in basic necessities, by which we should derive true contentment as stated in 1 Timothy 6:7-8 (TPT), “Isn’t it true that our hands were empty when we came into the world, and when we leave this world our hands will be empty again? Because of this, food and clothing is enough to make us content.”

Can we sincerely be happy for others and congratulate them on their breakthroughs? In the heat of the moment, our chest usually tightens, and our throats become dry. We begin to feel lightheaded and we are awash with emotions of envy, pain, confusion, and self-pity. It is a timely reminder of what God hasn’t done for us and the last emotion we want to express is happiness. We feel indignant that God chose to answer their prayers ahead of ours. What makes it even more difficult to fathom is when we have been waiting longer than them, but they receive their testimony before us. We begin to wonder if God even hears our prayers at all? The Bible encourages us to, “Celebrate with those who celebrate, and weep with those who grieve.” (Romans 12:15 TPT). It’s very easy to mourn with those who are mourning, but how well do we rejoice with those who are rejoicing when they have received something we are still praying for?

Dissatisfaction has a voice. This voice creeps into your thoughts and suggests….. You deserve her husband….. You need to have his job… If only you could have smart children like that…. Why is she always happy…. You are a Christian so you deserve it more….. Why don’t you also have the latest car….. Why do they earn more income… Ensure you have an elaborate wedding like that….. Why isn’t she your wife instead…. What did you do wrong to merit such a mediocre life…. He is excelling in life and you are just stuck…. If only your husband was that rich too…. The list is endless! Here’s the shift: “… and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV). God quells our insatiability by offering himself as the

Alpha and Omega of our satisfaction. The secret to lasting happiness is found in Him alone and godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6 ESV). When we hear temptations to desire more and better, which voice do we listen to?

Money is a treacherous master many of us are yet to subdue. Financial blessings are very good but don’t slave to make your bank account rise to match your desires. Endeavor to bring your desires down to match what God has already put in your bank account. We are reminded that the answer to happiness is not in bigger and better, but in simpler and being more grateful. “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have. But those who crave the wealth of this world slip into spiritual snares. They become trapped by the troubles that come through their foolish and harmful desires, driven by greed and drowning in their own sinful pleasures. And they take others down with them into their corruption and eventual destruction. Loving money is a root of all evils. Some people run after it so much that they have given up their faith. Craving more money pushes them away from the faith into error, compounding misery in their lives!” (1 Timothy 6:5, 7-10 TPT).

When we come to God’s presence weary, He changes our focus from what He can offer us to who He is. He gives our souls rest from discontentment and misguided search for worldly satisfaction. Our neighbor’s grass will always grow greener when we fix our attention on it and neglect ours. If we can shift our perspective to our own gardens, we will find true contentment and love the life we have better. Whenever we are tempted to think that someone else is living in our answered prayers, remember that you are also living in someone else’s answered prayer. Let’s be grateful for all that the Lord has graciously bestowed upon us and find godly contentment in Him alone.

Ama Afriyie-Jenkins

Ama Afriyie-Jenkins has a special affinity for gender, sustainable development, and global governance. She and her husband live in Accra, Ghana with their three children and they shepherd a non-denominational Christian fellowship, Inspirational Hour Ministries. Ama remembers loving to write from an early age and she is a voracious reader. She has a heart for girl-child education and women’s economic empowerment in rural communities in Ghana.

You can connect with her via email: ammajenkins@gmail.com, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn (@Ama Afriyie-Jenkins).