We are a discontent people. Always chasing after the next pay raise, a better vacation, a more prestigious car, or a higher standard of living. It’s an exhausting, never-ending pursuit. Just when we think we’ve finally arrived at our dream, the dream fades into the ordinary, and a new, just-out-of-reach goal takes its place.

The first dream lied. It never delivered on its promises. Yet we throw ourselves after the next one, convinced that this time will be different. This time it will finally work.

You’ve been there. So have I. So have we all.

But you were not designed for this endless cycle of striving. You were designed to pursue something that truly satisfies, something that refreshes your soul and brings lasting contentment.

The Bible points us to what brings that kind of contentment. Here are twenty verses that show you where it can truly be found:

You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures. - Psalm 16:11

The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. - Psalm 23:1

The little that the righteous person has is better than the abundance of many wicked people. - Psalm 37:16

Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. - Psalm 73:25–26

Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil. - Proverbs 15:16

Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need. Otherwise, I might have too much and deny you, saying, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God. - Proverbs 30:8–9

The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile. - Ecclesiastes 5:10

The person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit. - Jeremiah 17:7–8

Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? - Matthew 6:25

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. - Matthew 6:33

He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.” - Luke 12:15

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

Let each one live his life in the situation the Lord assigned when God called him. This is what I command in all the churches. - 1 Corinthians 7:17

So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:10

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. - Philippians 4:11–12

And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. - 1 Timothy 6:6–7

If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. - 1 Timothy 6:8

Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. - Hebrews 13:5

His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. - 2 Peter 1:3

Now, go and pursue what brings true contentment.