Can I just be real for a moment?

Recently, I used AI to help me create a birthday invitation for my grandson. I wanted to make a small change to the design, so I typed in a request and, within two minutes, I had exactly what I wanted. The result was beautiful—better than I likely could have created on my own—and it saved me a tremendous amount of time.

Honestly, it felt amazing. But I noticed something unexpected in the aftermath.

A bit later, I stepped into the shower. As I was getting ready for the day, I found myself annoyed that I still had to dry off, get dressed, fix my hair, and put on makeup. Those simple tasks would take thirty minutes or more.

Really? Since when am I discontent with something as ordinary as getting ready in the morning—something I’ve done for over fifty years?

The thought caught me off guard. Just moments earlier, I had experienced the convenience of accomplishing something instantly. I had bypassed the effort, avoided the learning curve, and achieved the desired result with almost no waiting. Suddenly, everything else felt slow.

Thankfully, the feeling only lasted for less than a minute. But it was enough to make me pause and think. What if this is one of the subtle dangers of the age we’re entering? What if our growing dependence on instant solutions slowly trains our hearts to become impatient with anything that requires effort, endurance, or waiting?

As I reflected on it, my mind went back to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

The enemy planted a seed of discontentment before he ever tempted her to take the fruit. He caused her to question whether what God had already provided was enough. In a moment, she shifted from gratitude for abundance to longing for something more.

“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1)

Discontentment has always been one of Satan’s favorite tools.

Long before smartphones, search engines, or artificial intelligence existed, the enemy was convincing people that what they had was insufficient. He whispers that we need more knowledge, more control, more comfort, more success, more convenience, and more certainty.

Technology didn’t create this struggle. It simply exposes it.

What I experienced that morning wasn’t really about AI. It was a glimpse into my own heart and how quickly it can be conditioned to crave immediate results.

If we’re not careful, we can become so accustomed to instant answers that we lose our appreciation for the slow and sacred work God often does in our lives. After all, God rarely seems to be in a hurry. He took years to prepare Joseph. He spent forty years preparing Moses. David waited years between his anointing and his coronation. The disciples spent three years walking with Jesus before they were sent out. Even fruit doesn’t grow overnight. God works deeply, and depth almost always requires time.

So what can we do to protect ourselves from the influence that the newer things in this world try to exert on us when we are called to embrace the slower work of God? While we may not be able to change the direction of society, we can guard our own hearts.

Here are three practices that help combat the subtle drift toward discontentment.

1. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude changes our perspective.

The moment I caught myself feeling frustrated about getting ready, gratitude quickly corrected my attitude. I get to shower and dress myself. I get to walk, see, hear, and care for my own needs. Many people would give anything for those abilities.

Gratitude reminds us that what we take for granted is often a gift. Paul wrote, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). A grateful heart is far less vulnerable to discontentment because it continually recognizes God’s goodness.

2. Seek God More Than Convenience

Convenience is not evil. In fact, many technological advancements are blessings that can free us to spend more time on what matters most. The danger comes when convenience becomes our source of comfort and satisfaction.

Only God can fill that role.

Psalm 73:25 says, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.” The more we experience God’s presence, the less dependent we become on the comforts and efficiencies of this world. Our hearts were created to find ultimate satisfaction in Him, not in faster results, easier solutions, or greater productivity.

3. Practice Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual disciplines intentionally slow us down and reorient our hearts toward God.

Prayer teaches us dependence.

Bible study renews our minds.

Worship lifts our focus heavenward.

Sabbath reminds us that we are not machines.

Silence and solitude help us hear God’s voice above the constant noise competing for our attention.

These practices keep us saturated in the things of God rather than being consumed by the things of the world.  The more we cultivate spiritual habits, the more resilient we become against the pressures of a culture that constantly demands faster, easier, and more.

Yes, Artificial Intelligence is remarkable. It can organize information, create images, generate ideas, and accomplish tasks in seconds that once took hours. But as impressive as it may be, we must never lose sight of a far greater reality. There is a Divine Intelligence that is limitless.

God possesses all wisdom, all knowledge, and all understanding. He sees the beginning from the end. He knows every detail of our lives and every need before we speak it.

AI can give us information. God gives us wisdom.

AI can generate content. God transforms hearts.

AI can save time. God redeems eternity.

As believers, our greatest need has never been more knowledge, more efficiency, or more convenience. Our greatest need is more of Him.

So enjoy the tools. Embrace the benefits. Use technology wisely.

But don’t allow instant gratification to rob you of contentment.

Instead, let every convenience remind you to seek the One who is infinitely greater than anything human hands could ever create.

While artificial intelligence may continue to advance, it will never compare to the wisdom, love, and presence of our Divine Creator. AI may provide answers, but only God gives meaning. AI may save us time, but only God redeems it. AI may satisfy what we believe to be a fleshly need for a moment, but only God can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls.

As Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” True contentment has never been found in having more, knowing more, or getting more—it is found only in being with Him. And no technology, no convenience, and no earthly advancement will ever offer greater joy, deeper peace, or more lasting satisfaction than the presence of God.

Ardently His,

Leah

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