Around my house we sometimes enjoy watching the classic Bob Ross painting show. And weirdly enough, Bob’s iconic soft voice also serves as a soothing sound to fall asleep to. The other night, my son and I were listening to that in hopes that he would quickly fall asleep. But as I was lying there, I listened to something Bob said about painting and how to become a better painter. He told his audience that he hoped they would always be “plagued with dissatisfaction” when it came to painting because it would make them a better painter. The idea was that you’re never satisfied with the last painting you painted; each time you paint, you refine things more and more, which causes you to get better and better. 

Though that may be a great way to become a better artist, I think sometimes when it comes to our spiritual lives, we too can be “plagued with dissatisfaction.” But here, I don’t mean dissatisfaction that pushes us to grow in Christ—I mean the kind that keeps us from being content. I believe it’s possible in our walk with God to get to a point where we’re never satisfied with the blessings we already have. We can be blessed with much, yet somehow feel discontent and still left wanting. 

The book of 1 Timothy has a lot to do with godliness in the church. And one thing Paul says about godliness is that it “is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:6–8). 

Let’s always remember that it’s not “cleanliness” that’s next to godliness—it’s contentment. When it comes to how we live our lives, let’s be satisfied with contentment instead of plagued with dissatisfaction. – D. Proctor 8.8.25