As Christians we know that our rest, our contentment, is found in God. But many of us live with a gap, a gap between what we believe and what we actually experience. We know where peace and joy are found, yet they often feel like a distant horizon we never quite reach.

So, what do we do about this problem? What do we do to decrease this contentment gap? Here are five practices to help you experience the contentment and joy of life with God.

SLOW DOWN AND SIT WITH GOD

During your daily time with God, make sure you take time to enjoy His presence. You are likely unfamiliar with being quiet before God and simply enjoying Him. Start here:

1. Ask God to help you experience His presence.
2. Take five minutes to slowly reflect on His goodness in His Word.
3. Resist the urge to rush or “check the box.” Instead, slow down and be present with God.
4. The goal is not just to learn, it is to enjoy being with God.

Know up front this will be challenging. Your mind and heart have been shaped by noise, chaos, and distraction. It will be a battle, but with God’s help, you can grow in this.

You can “do your devotions” or “have your quiet time” and still miss God completely.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

STOP LETTING YOUR PHONE KILL YOUR SOUL

Get your scrolling and time on your phone under control. How?

1. Look at how much time you’re actually spending each day on your phone.
2. Start noticing how often you instinctively reach for your phone.
3. Pray and ask God to reshape your desires and discipline your habits.
4. Allow yourself to do nothing at times rather than always be occupied with your phone.
5. Put your phone in your pocket or purse when you are with people.

Every time you put your phone down, you create space to actually experience God and the life He’s given you.

“Look carefully then how you walk… making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15–16

EXPOSE AND REDIRECT YOUR DESIRES

During some of your quiet time begin to ask God to reveal to you what your deepest desires are. We are so busy, so distracted, that we are driven by impulses, cravings, and we may not even be aware of what they are. Then when you begin to be aware of what is driving you ask God to redirect your heart toward knowing and loving Him. Our problem is not that we desire too much, but that we desire the wrong things (or desire good things too much).

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4

WAKE UP TO GOD’S WORLD

Enjoy the world around you. For many of us, that simply means getting outside. We spend so much time looking at screens that we rarely stop to notice the sky, a sunset, or even the world right around us. Life is not boring. It is filled with the glory of God. But how often do you actually stop long enough to see it?

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” — Psalm 19:1

BE PRESENT WHERE GOD HAS YOU

Learn to live in the moment. Don’t always be thinking about what you need to do. Stop and enjoy the moment you are in. It sounds cliché, but every moment is fleeting and you will never get it back. Our minds so often are in a million different places which means we are not content, we are not happy in the moments of our life.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24

Closing the contentment gap doesn’t happen overnight. But as you slow down, fight distraction, examine your desires, enjoy God’s world, and live in the present, you begin to experience what you already know is true, God is enough. And in Him, you find rest.