The Picture of Perfect Contentment

You can learn so much from observing animals. The other day I was snuggling my pup, Minnie, and she just seemed to be the picture of perfect contentment. But isn’t the world on fire?? If it is, she doesn’t know it. And I think it’s because she has no reason to feel she is currently in any danger. She knows that all of her needs are currently being met and that she is well-loved and cared for. So she lives in the moment and doesn’t contemplate every horrible thing going on in the world as long as there is peace around her. Of course, whenever she senses danger approaching, she is moved to action to protect and defend as her instincts guide her, but for now, she rests.

I thought on this behavior because I think how easily I get worked up about the things going on in the world I have no control over and I begin to feel anxious and upset — things that don’t even directly affect me nor do I have any control over. And yet, I take for granted the peace and joy before me which is a gift from God. But I don’t always think of it as a gift, and instead, I mindlessly go seeking things out that discourage and depress me.

So I wonder, if we didn’t have the 24-hour news cycle, would I go my whole life never knowing the extent of how awful the world can be? My cat, Willow, is about to turn 19 and she knows nothing of such evil, yet we live in the same house her entire life. I’m not suggesting we bury our heads in the sand or turn a blind eye to suffering, but if those things don’t directly affect those around us and there is no course of action to change the situation, is it doing more harm than good to our mental health to dwell on them?

I ask this question because I know my own tendency to become greatly incensed at the disturbing things being reported to keep us in a constant state of outrage. But this eventually wears us down and makes us lose our fire when the time comes to actually fight, because rest assured, there are times we must fight. So I try to remind myself that the joy of the Lord is my strength! And at this moment there is much to find joy in. So for now, I rest. Knowing that my needs are being met and I am well-loved and cared for.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

(Matthew 6:26-27)