John 10:10, Matthew 11:28, Psalm 91:2

Jim Lowe shares how he's found fulfilment through learning to trust and rest in God.

Jim Lowe

What makes you content and happy in life? If you described your perfect life, what would it be? Who would it include?

Some researchers have discovered that to live the perfect life we need:

• An annual salary of £100,000 and to work part time


• Own a 1.6 million pound house and an Aston Martin


• Be married with two children


• Take two foreign holidays a year

I'm sure most of us wouldn't object to being in that position, but the reality is that most of us are not.

In fact some researchers say that 85% of people in Britain are not happy with their life. Most wish they had more money and more time.

The problem is that even if we had more money and time, other problems can occur, whether it be with relationships, family, or health problems.

In John 10:10 Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

One thing Jesus didn't promise us is a perfect life, but He did come to help us live a fulfilled life.

Over the past few years I've been on a journey. When I was a younger Christian, I was easily swayed in my faith by my emotions and my fears. Often circumstances would get the best of me. On this journey of mine, I'm learning to be content in Jesus. I'm slowly learning to live life to the full, the way He came to show me.

The first thing I've learnt is to rest in God.

In our busy world, it is not always easy to stop and take a break. But like all things, we need to look to Jesus. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."

We all carry burdens, often for so long that we stop noticing them, but they still effect our day to day life. Jesus does not always promise to take these burdens away for good, but He does give us a break; a chance to rest and recharge our energy levels.

When I take time out and spend it with Jesus, even if it's 10 minutes a day, I find that He strengthens me for what I have to face.

This is not just something to do when things are going wrong and we feel tired. It's good to do this all the time.

I find that when I rest in God when things are going well, it gives me the strength to be content in God when things are going badly.

The second thing I'm learning on my journey towards being content in life, is to trust God.

So often the things that worry me most and stop me from enjoying life are the "if onlys." They are often the things that I trust God least with.

Psalm 91:2 says "I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

I'm learning to trust God more. When I look back at my life He has never let me down. He's always been there. The more that I trust Him, the more secure I feel. The more secure I feel, the more loved I feel. The more loved I feel, the more content I am in life.

My prayer for us all, is that we don't seek 'things' to be content in life, even though things and aspirations are not necessarily bad things.

But instead that we find contentment in Jesus, through trusting and finding rest in Him.