As if it isn’t already sad enough that not many people (especially Christians) know the difference between contentment and laziness, there’s only a very thin line between the two.
And quite unfortunately, many people genuinely begin with contentment, only to cross that line into laziness. Many people are truly satisfied with what they have and what God has provided for them, but these same people may eventually become lazy and unwilling to do more.
Worse still, most people are in a state of chronic laziness, but instead of recognizing what’s wrong, they mask it with scripture-coated definitions of contentment.
How, then, can you tell contentment apart from laziness so you don’t fall into the latter?
Well, that’s why I have written this blog to help you know when your contentment gradually becomes laziness.
Definitions: Contentment Vs. Laziness
Contentment is a state of satisfaction and peace independent of external factors. In other words, when you are content, you are thankful and satisfied with what you have at the time, and you’re not unnecessarily disturbed about external validation or success.
On the other hand, laziness is being unwilling or uninterested in exerting effort to get better, even when you have the capacity to do so. For the sake of this blog, laziness is the unwillingness to put in the work to go beyond your current state or situation.
Why You Confuse Contentment with Laziness
Now that you know the difference between contentment and laziness, I’m sure you’d want to know why we often confuse the two or why people use contentment to cover up for laziness.
Religious conditioning
Many Christians have been wired to think that pursuing more (or trying to make wealth) is ungodly. So, they become weary of making any move to get more, assuming they are practicing the godly virtue of contentment.
But there is no scripture that says seeking more (especially material wealth) is wrong. Here’s what that misinterpreted scripture says:
And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and harmful lusts that drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I Timothy 6:8-10
First of all, you and I know that you need more than food and clothing to do the work of the Kingdom today.
Secondly, isn’t it possible to grow wealth in a godly way, with ideas God gives you and doors He opens for you?
If yes, why stay satisfied with little when God wants you to have more.
Self-Justification
Another reason people confuse laziness with contentment is that they’re actually afraid of failing – when they eventually take action. Or, they’re too cozy in their comfort zone to entertain anything that looks like discomfort.
But hey, the world will shame them for being lazy, so they call it contentment, thereby clothing inaction with virtue.
4 Key Differences Between Contentment and Laziness
1. Contentment says ‘it is enough’ because it feels right at the time. Laziness says so because it doesn’t want to do the work to get more
When you are content, you know that what you have is enough because it is indeed enough for the season. Or, your contentment could be from the fact that you have done your best and are satisfied with the outcome, even when it is not perfect. You’ve prayed and done what God asked, and now you’re resting without guilt.
But when you are lazy, you’re saying, ‘It is enough’ because you are unwilling to put in the work required for more. Laziness rests even when it hasn’t given its best at all.
2. Contentment embraces challenges, but laziness runs from discomfort
When you are genuinely content, it doesn’t stop you from actively looking for opportunities for refinement. You live in the present and are grateful for what is in it, yet you still challenge yourself at the slightest chance.
With laziness, you run from everything that takes you out of your comfort zone. You even take yourself out of rooms or relationships that dare challenge you to go beyond where you are. You avoid risks, difficult conversations, unfamiliar jobs or seasons, and sometimes, you cover up this avoidance with ‘waiting on God.”
3. You still grow while content. But with laziness, you’re rather stagnant
A content heart is growing, even while satisfied. You’re grateful for where you are, but you still embrace learning, improving, and showing up with excellence.
When you are lazy, gratitude wouldn’t be the exact way you feel about where you are. You just stop there and dismiss every opportunity to grow or get out of that place. And excellence? That would be alien to someone who is lazy.
4. Contentment obeys God’s leading; laziness looks for convenience.
Being content does not bring an end to one’s journey. So, if you’re genuinely content, You’re not chasing things God hasn’t asked you to chase. Still, you’ll be up and ready to move once it is time to move or when God says move.
But if you are dealing with laziness, you won’t even be looking out for God’s next instructions. All you’ll be chasing is comfort and convenience.
3 Ways to Cultivate Biblical Contentment Without Settling
1. Be clear on what God wants you to surrender
Instead of stopping at the slightest adversity and calling it contentment, learn to stop only when you’ve received clearly from God to surrender.
I firmly believe that it is safer to take action and have God interrupt you than to stay idle, all in the name of waiting on God for direction.
So, if you really want to be sure you’re practicing contentment and not laziness, start by understanding why you are in that season at that time.
2. Practice present gratitude while preparing for more.
To cultivate genuine contentment as against settling, practice genuine gratitude. Always refer to specific things for which you are grateful.
When you are present enough to recognize what you should be grateful for, you won’t miss the moments you are supposed to take the next steps.
3. Surround yourself with growth-minded believers.
Sometimes, people become lazy not because they want to but because nothing in their environment encourages them to do otherwise.
So, if you want to truly practice contentment (without neglecting necessary work), you must surround yourself with believers who are growth-minded and will not use scriptures to glamorize inaction.
Conclusion
The truth is that God is a God of excellence. And as such, He wants the very best for His children.
However, there may be times when you may need to exercise contentment and wait on God for your next level. But this season doesn’t stretch throughout your life. It doesn’t even come for everyone.
So, whenever you find yourself stalling or staying too long in the valley, you’d want to be sure that you know the difference between contentment and laziness and that you are not being lazy and confusing it with contentment.
