Sometimes, we have this tendency to think that things are just the way they are, that they can't, they won't, change.

We have a bad habit that we just CAN'T break. 
We have this relationship that's going nowhere good that just CAN'T be restored.
We have this unfortunate circumstance in our life that just WON'T go away.
We have this negative internal thought pattern that just WON'T quiet down.

We tend to accept things to be just the way that they are, and doubt that we have the power, will-power, man-power, status, strength, serenity, etc. to overcome whatever it is that makes us discontent. But this kind of thinking is NOT in alignment with God's word.

Whatever we want to change, about ourselves, our minds, our lives, we can. God has given us the Spirit to do so. The only thing that prevents us from going where we need to go is FEAR, and His perfect love casts out all fear.

Over and over again, the Bible makes reference to God's ability to restore all things, to make all things NEW.

We have to be intentional about taking our thoughts, our mulish mindsets and preconceptions, and making them obedient to the word of God. While by our own strength, we may feel held captive to our circumstances, bad influences, desires, impulses, addictions, habits, or thought-patterns, by His strength, all things can be made beautiful and NEW. 

1. Withdraw.
"You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in your word." Psalm 119:114
"Jesus withdrew privately to a solitary place." Matthew 14:13
Jesus did it regularly. He knew that when surrounded by the crowds, hustling through the busyness of life, He needed to make space to withdraw. He knew that sometimes, it was best to just stop, to quiet the chatter, and to rest in God the Father. We have to follow His lead here. If He, God himself as the Son, knew that spending time alone in prayer was the way to the Father's will, how much more should we pause and spend time in His presence and His word?

2. Remember Who You Are.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." Corinthians 15:58
​"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." John 15:16
Sometimes, we just get lost, out of touch with ourselves, because there are so many forces in the world trying to tell us what we should do, who we are, or who we are meant to be. We become frantic in our search for reassurance, for affirmation that we are valued and cherished, that we belong. But when we pause, and let God's word tell us who we are instead, we can stop the seeking and striving. We can rest in the fact that we are chosen by God, crafted by His hand, and appointed to do His holy work. We are beloved. He sees our efforts. He knows our hearts. Everything that we already are is already enough.

3. Let Gratitude Lead you to Contentedness.
"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:3-4
So often, our searching and striving, our lashing out and acting in contradiction to who we really are, stems from a lack of gratitude, peace, and patience. We become discontent with where we are in life, what we already have, and all that we already are, so we veer off the path of righteousness, hoping that a little taste of worldly pleasure, some instant gratification, a bit of indulgence will appease us, and somehow compensate for our own lack of fulfillment and appreciation for all that has already been done. But God calls us to rejoice in small beginnings, to be faithful with even the little, so that we may be given much. To seek first His Kingdom, and His righteousness. To delight in Him, and to find contentedness dwelling in His presence and doing what is holy and pure and good.

And when we are doing just that, well, we just shouldn't be so surprised and alarmed when He does indeed give us the earnest desires of our bonafide hearts.