By Laura Bunn
We lived in a 700-square-foot apartment when I found out I was pregnant with our first child. My husband and I watched many of our college friends move into luxury city apartments promising “instagrammable views.”
But we’d spent the past three years in a one-bedroom, basement-level apartment, working diligently to pay off student loans.
We were okay taking our baby home to the one-bedroom apartment we’d lived in since getting married. We were content starting there, trusting a house would come in God’s timing.
Or so I thought.
After telling some family members we were expecting, my aunt asked, “So, are you going to buy a house?”
I was caught off guard by how deep the words cut and how quickly my confidence shattered by what they implied. Was our home not suitable for a baby?
God made a way for us to move into an adorable, colonial-style townhome before our son arrived. A townhome with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms.
It felt like an absolute paradise.
Our hearts sang with thankfulness! My husband, whose family relied on government assistance throughout his childhood, cried tears of joy when our offer was accepted.
After we moved in, a friend, knowing we wanted to have more children, commented how soon our place would feel small.
My joyful contentment flickered—but only for a moment.
I hadn’t let my mind wander much further ahead than the baby in front of us. But deep down, I figured we’d be in a bigger house before a second child came around.
I got pregnant quickly with baby number two and shared that news with a different friend. “So, are you going to try to move?” she asked.
Feelings of insecurity rose up inside of me, along with something new and even uglier—guilt. How could I already feel ashamed and insecure about my home?
Grow Contentment by Uprooting Lies
“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2 HCSB
While I wanted to blame others in my life for stirring up these feelings of insecurity and guilt, the issue was already inside my heart.
My friends’ comments needled at lies I was already believing, like:
- Our identity was tied to a bank account.
- Everyone else had a bigger, better, and more beautiful home.
- Our parental success was tied to how much we could materially provide for our children.
- We would never measure up.
To reclaim our contentment and confidence, we need freedom from the bondage of these lies. We need to dig down deep and uproot them.
We remain in bondage when we submit to our fallen world. But as believers, we can have freedom in Christ!
When images of happy families in big, beautiful houses on social media find their way into our hearts and minds, setting unrealistic standards, we are bound to feel like failures and struggle with discontentment.
Instead of believing these lies, we can turn to the truth of Scripture.
The Bible has little to say on home ownership, but a whole lot to say about gratitude, stewardship, and matters of the heart:
- “Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 HCSB
- “Honor the Lord with your possessions.” Proverbs 3:9 HCSB
- “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 HCSB
Over 2,000 verses exist regarding money and stewardship in the Bible—that’s almost twice as many as faith and prayer combined!
Our Father in Heaven knows our hearts. When God became flesh, He experienced temptation in every way (Heb 4:15). Jesus understands how comparison and contentment are daily battles for us.
Walking in Christ
“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude” – Colossians 2:6 HCSB
Over time, we can meditate on all the scriptural truths in God’s Word and allow it to sink deep into our souls. We can grow in the practice of surrendering our desires and feelings of inadequacy to the Lord, who faithfully and lovingly renews our hearts and minds.
I’m expecting our third baby, writing from the same townhome. We’re still praying for a house even though it feels impossible. But we know God can make a way if it’s His will!
We can feel true contentment in any circumstance, knowing God keeps us where He wants—even if longer than we planned.
As followers of Christ, we are to live set apart from this world (2 Cor 6:17). As parents, we can model biblical disciplines for the tiny disciples in our home.
Our kids can see us live within our means, steward what God has given us with grateful hearts, pray, and trust God for the next thing.
No matter what “next thing” we’ve been waiting for or how long our season of waiting lasts, we can find peace and joy in Christ.
Laura Bunn
Laura Bunn is a wife and mom of two (soon to be three!) who loves to read, write, and promote literacy. She is passionate about incorporating stories that emulate and point to the gospel as she raises her little disciples. You can find more of her work on Instagram @LauraJaneBunn and her blog.
