Living a Satisfied Life

What is the solution to each problem in a toddler’s mind? What is the place for this child to go for every question, hurt, and fear they face?

Is it not their parents or guardian?

Consider how much wiser and smarter parents are compared to their toddlers. Compare that with how much more intelligent God is than us. Indeed, how can we afford not to set God up as our advisor and tap into His limitless knowledge?

You might wonder, “How can I trust that God is on my side and actually cares about my wellbeing?”

I share some personal testimony of mine in a previous blog post, Surrendering Your Life to God’s Control, that may help answer this question.

The opposite of humbling ourselves as little children is to have the attitude that we are self-efficient and can take care of our problems without external input. But that is not a recipe for living a fulfilling and successful life.

Do we not all desire to lead a satisfying life in which we enjoy the long-term contentment we have always wanted?

The solution to the discontentment we so detest is surprisingly uncomplicated. It is free, yet its unconditional cost is what scares people to the other side of the street when they hear its name.

We Must Surrender Our Will

I have found one word that sums up the remedy to living a satisfied life as we crave:

“Surrender.”

In Matthew 18:3-4, Jesus was very pointed when he told his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (ESV).

Following the urges of our fleshly desires is slavery. In that state, Satan has us “wrapped around his little finger.” Selfish people accept and promote the destructive ideas Satan puts in their minds, for it is “what they want.”

We certainly cannot obtain a satisfactory feeling of contentment in this condition of satanic control. Instead, we will feel a crushing sense of underachievement and disgrace.

We can only locate the contentment we crave when we submit to God’s standards of correct living and discipline ourselves accordingly. In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis states: “[i]Laying down your arms, surrendering, saying you are sorry, realizing that you have been on the wrong track and getting ready to start life over again from the ground floor—that is the only way out of our ‘hole.’”

Resigning Our Will is a Logical Remedy

Yes, “submit” and “discipline” sound like harsh words to come under. Laying down our will is indeed frightening to think about. That explains why folks choose to remain dissatisfied, despite this simple remedy. But is it not logical that we will feel greater inner satisfaction and success when we discipline our desires and are in control of what we do versus giving in to the various urges that Satan introduces to us?

Israel’s transgressions of the law eventually led to Jerusalem’s capture and destruction, and the remorse of her people. Likewise, disobeying God’s law will lead us to bondage and disappointment. No one ever failed to surrender to God’s will without eventual regret.

For each desire we might have, there is a solution. We are familiar with hunger: well, there is such a thing as eating food. We know what it is like to feel thirsty: well, there is such a thing as drinking water. We can identify with loneliness: well, there is such a thing as companionship.

We experience guilt: well, there is such a thing as sincere repentance. And we are familiar with that mysterious and unrelenting inkling of something missing in our life: well, there is such a thing as unconditional surrender to God’s will for us, which leads to an intimate connection with Him that indeed passes all understanding, and lead to living a satisfied life.

My Testimony

I have included the following entry from my diary for some more personal testimony:

“I was overwhelmed with my extensive to-do list when I went for a nap “on the Lord’s lap” this evening…

Albert just asked me to look up something else for him online. And I have that tune for Louis that needs typeset and harmonized. (As soon as I get some of those distractions taken care of, more come up.) On top of that, I nap quite a bit during the day and spend hours relaxing in God’s presence instead of actively getting work done…

But as God cradled me in His arms, He assured me that He cherishes the time I spend with Him. He showed me that these distractions from my main projects are in His control and promised that things will hold out for the best if I allow Him to manage my schedule.

So, I laid my schedule in God’s hands; and what a relief.

May I never forget this revelation and again insist on my own ideas.”

Here are more testimonies of mine:

1. Personal Experiences in God’s Presence – Marcus (marcushurstauthor.com)

2. When God has Control, Life’s a Much Better Roll – Marcus (marcushurstauthor.com)

3. The Finger of God! – When God Intervenes – Marcus (marcushurstauthor.com)

In closing, I wish you well as you continue your pursuit of contentment and living a satisfied life. I pray you will presently locate the fulfillment you desire.

[i] C. S. Lewis. Mere Christianity (pp. 56-57). HarperOne. 2009