Word of the Year: Content

Ever since coming to college, I have chosen a word of the year. I have found that I prefer this to new year’s resolutions, as it helps me to have a specific word at the forefront of my mind each day. My word for 2021 was trust. The beginning of that year was extremely difficult for me as I faced many changes in my life. It felt like everything was changing and I struggled to process it. I was dealing with anxiety and homesickness, which I had never experienced before. Through the hardships I encountered, I learned to trust God and lean on Him more than I ever had. I grew in my faith immensely in 2021 in learning to trust in the Lord with everything. 

As I entered 2022, I had no idea what I wanted my word of the year to be. The word ended up finding me. During the second week of January, I was sitting in my J-term class, and found myself complaining about the most ridiculous things. 

“This seat is so uncomfortable.”

“I’m starving and I want to eat lunch.”

“I’m tired.”

“I wish class would just be done already.”

I was not feeling content. I wanted time to pass and to be on with the next part of my day. Shortly after these negative thoughts had arisen, I had to catch myself and be reminded of how blessed I am. God has given me so much, yet I am still ungrateful and complain daily. I get to go to school and attend a Christian University. I have food to eat, good friends and an amazing family supporting me in all that I do. It was at that moment in class that I knew my word of the year needed to be content.

As Christians, we are not called to live a comfortable, perfect life. We will experience suffering and loss on earth but there is hope. This world is not our home and though we long for something more on earth, there is paradise to look forward to in Heaven. In the good times and the bad, we must strive to be content. It is not going to be easy, but the posture of our heart is important. Spending time with the Lord, reading His Word and asking Him for help in this area is pertinent because we cannot do this alone. 

I am learning this year that trusting God allows me to be content.