Satisfied

What does is mean to be truly satisfied? The definition of the word satisfy used as a verb is to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs or demands of a person or to put an end to a desire, want or need by sufficient provision. Some of the synonyms for the word satisfy are gratify, pacify, appease and please.

How are we satisfied? What brings satisfaction…..? For some people it might be when their relationships with family and friends are going well and they do not have conflict. For others it may be when their “To Do” list is completed.  Still others to be “satisfied” may be when they feel they are making a contribution to society. Satisfaction comes when our hopes or our expectations are met by people, or circumstances that we can control or events that occur in our lives that we have no control over. Often times we think of satisfaction only in terms of the fulfillment of our material wants and needs. In our culture of consumerism and materialism we get off track easily. Every where we turn there is an opportunity to to be discontent because the goal of media marketing is to makes us believe there is “more and better” of everything we could possibly need or want.

A few months ago, my husband and I read a book with a few friends called “Satisfied-Discovering Contentment in a World of Consumption” written by Jeff Manion.

There was a workbook that went along with this book that had some challenging tasks for us to do, to help us begin a journey towards contentment and generosity.  One week we had to count all the shirts and shoes in our closet. One week we were asked to write all the blessings we could think of that we have in our life. One week we had to go on a spending fast and were only allowed to buy food and medications. My favorite was the week we were asked to serve someone or volunteer to help someone-cleaning, moving, cooking-whatever they needed. All of these exercises helped us identify our attitudes and beliefs about contentment and being satisfied, because we were forced to actually take an honest look at our practices and behaviors.

During the week we had to count our clothes, I was relieved to be in the middle of a total house purge and garage sale preparations. I was inspired to let go of more clothes than I might have if we were not studying how at times contentment is a result of living with less. The week we had to write down our blessings was easy for me. I have so many things to be thankful for. If I were to measure my wealth in terms of relationships, I am the richest woman ever. I love my family and friends and am always so grateful for any opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. I thought the task of NOT spending money on anything but food and medicine for a week would be the hardest, (especially since we had to do it for two weeks) but it was actually very freeing. I wasn’t really tempted to buy anything and every excuse I usually use to justify buying things I do not need did not seem convincing enough to make me break my spending fast. My favorite task was to serve someone because it gave me a fresh perspective on how satisfying it is to put your own needs aside and serve another person, just for the sake of serving. I realized how important it is to look at life from another person’s perspective who had a need that I could fulfill. I was able to bring satisfaction and have a generous heart toward her.

One of the most important things I learned was that by examining what I value, I can practice a habit of trusting God to provide all that I need for true contentment and to live a satisfied life.

Psalms 107:9 says “For God satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” and in Philippians 4:11 the apostle Paul says “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Are you satisfied?