Contentment in the New Year

“In Christ alone, my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.”  

I’ve been thinking about these lyrics a lot lately. The word “alone” causes me to pause. If I’m honest, I often catch myself pursuing hope outside of Christ, especially in the new year. I fixate on potential “greener grasses.” I fall prey to Instagram ads that promise an item will solve my problems. I resent God for how He made my body, and wish for a better one. I know in my head, “In Christ alone my hope is found,” but the question remains… Do I live this out? 

What would it look like to live in contentment? What’s preventing me from finding contentment this year? What if, in 2025, we sing “In Christ alone, my hope is found,” and mean it? To help us, let’s take a look at the meaning of Christian contentment and practical tips that will help us along the way.  

This year, let’s pursue contentment | TDGC

What is Contentment? 

 

Often, we find ourselves gravitating toward external, measurable goals like exercising regularly or increasing our reading (all great goals!), but what if we set out to make this year our most content yet? What if we finally purged what’s cluttering our mind, and made room for worship? This year, let’s pursue contentment.  

Arguably one of the best descriptions of Christian contentment is written by Jeremiah Burroughs in his book, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. He says Christian contentment is the “sweet, inward, quiet, and gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition” (Burroughs, 8). Contentment, then, is peace rooted in trust of our heavenly Father. Romans 8:28 proclaims, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” This does not mean that those in Christ are guaranteed success in all their endeavors, but it does mean that no matter what we face, God will use each circumstance to refine our faith and transform us into Christ’s image, one day at a time. He will work all things for our good. What if we really believed that God is for our best? 

I don’t know about you, but I desire to gain a quiet, content confidence in the God who upholds me and the world. If you too, hold this goal for the upcoming year, The Daily Grace Co’s new study, Is God Enough For Me? will help you tackle the discontentment you feel and lead you to behold Christ. In this study, you will learn that God is indeed enough—no matter the season or circumstance you find yourself in.  

 Contentment is peace rooted in trust of God | TDGC

Practical Ways To Pursue Contentment 

 

As you begin to pursue contentment in Christ, here are other practical tools that may help you:  

  1. Memorize Scripture 

When feelings of discontentment arise in your heart, it’s helpful to have Scripture on-hand to remind you of the abundance you have in Jesus. A few of my favorite Psalms for contentment are Psalm 16 and Psalm 23.  

 

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; 

    you make my lot secure. 

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

    surely I have a delightful inheritance.” 

Psalm 16:5–6, NIV 

 

“The Lord is my shepherd; 

I have what I need.” 

Psalm 23:1  

 

  1. Seek Out Worship 

 

What sparks gratitude within your heart? What regularly reminds you of God’s goodness? Whether it’s spending quality time with your kids, taking a long walk, taking time to behold a sunset, or blasting worship music, make intentional time to step away from the busyness of your life to praise Jesus for the hope He’s achieved for you.  

 

  • Take a walk somewhere beautiful 

  • Listen to your favorite worship song 

  • Read your favorite passage of Scripture 

  • Call up someone who inspires you in your faith  

  • Enjoy a good cup of coffee and journal what you’re grateful for 

 

  1. Set Boundaries 

 

Have you found anything in particular that sows discontentment within your heart? Perhaps social media reminds you of all that you do not have, or maybe your regular walking route reminds you of houses you cannot afford. While discontentment looks different for each person, we can dig a little deeper within ourselves and ask the question, “What am I really after?” And from there, we can decide to set boundaries with whatever may be triggering our discontentment.  

 

  • Take regular social media breaks  

  • Delete apps from your phone that lead you to discontentment 

  • Pay careful attention to the media you’re consuming (TV, music, etc.) and how they make you feel 

  • Turn to God in prayer when you feel the temptation for “more”  

 

For more help digging into the roots of your discontentment, check out the Contentment Diagnostics from Is God Enough For Me? | Finding Real Contentment In Christ. 

My hope is in Christ alone | TDGC

In Philippians 4:11, Paul provides us with great hope for our contentment: “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.” Contentment is learned; it’s practiced; it’s grown within our hearts through our participation in the Holy Spirit’s work to transform us day-by-day into the image of Jesus. Perhaps this is the year we take our discontentment seriously. Perhaps this year we regularly behold the wonder and glory of who Jesus is. Perhaps this year, we inch closer to loving our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). 

As the popular song reminds us, “In Christ alone my hope is found.” My hope is not in a nicer house, a bigger salary, a better wardrobe, or fewer wrinkles—my hope is in Christ alone.  

Sources: 

Burroughs, Jeremiah. The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013.  

Keith & Kristyn Getty. “In Christ Alone.” Track 4. In Christ Alone, Getty Music Label. 2006. 

 

Additional Resources for Cultivating Contentment: 

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