By Lisa Cardinal

“Longing” is an intense desire to do something or have something. Food. Touch. Love. Meaning. Purpose. Conversation. Sleep. Health. Peace. We’re born longing. We grow up longing. We live with longing.

We can be driven by, exhausted by, and motivated by longing. Longing is part of being alive. It’s part of being human. When longing is satisfied, people describe it as quiet joy, relief, even peace. It’s what happens after working through a misunderstanding with a co-worker, enjoying a good meal and conversation with a friend, or a day off to create margin.

As life-giving as satisfied longings are, they are temporary. Not only that, there are longings that might never be satisfied in this life. While longing is part of being alive, so also is learning to live with (a) longings that might never be satisfied, and (b) the reality that satisfied longings are only temporary.

The good news is this can be learned.

The Apostle Paul learned and he wrote it down in chapter 4 of Philippians. He said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (verse 12).” Here’s the secret, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (verses 6-7, NIV).” The words, “with thanksgiving” are key to Paul’s secret.

I’ve tried Paul’s secret.

For years—nearly every morning—I list at least three things I’m thankful for, and small things count. If you want to learn Paul’s secret, give this a try for no less than one week. Thanksgiving (or gratitude) is the secret to being content. Gratitude, even for small things, is the way we live in a world where satisfied longings are temporary, and some longings will never be met. You will experience the peace of God, which transcends all understanding and this peace will guard your heart and mind.

—Lisa Cardinal is lead pastor at Newday Adventist Church. Photo by BOOM Photography of Pexels.