I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4: 12-13
I’ll confess straight up contentment is one thing I’ve struggled with over the years. Being content and at peace and satisfied whatever the circumstance? It’s not our natural tendency is it? Not when what IS doesn’t line up with what we think it should be or what we expect it to be. I hate to say it but in my time I’ve done my fair share (and then some) of whinging and complaining and grumbling to God and anyone else who’d listen. Trust me it’s a good way to make yourself completely miserable. It’s a good way to miss the hand of God at work in your life and it’s not somewhere you want to stay long but – – – God meets you even when your cranky at Him. It was during one of my “dummy spits” that thankfully I had the presence of mind to open the bible and see what God might say to me. He showed me this: He who sacrifices thank offerings honours me, and he prepares the way so that I may show Him the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23. That shut me up for a bit. I didn’t want to miss His plan and I didn’t want to stay miserable. Thankfulness puts our focus on a beautiful big loving God who holds everything – the start, the finish and the in between in his hands, a God who knows all things and sees all things, who has a plan and has a purpose, who is weaving a seam of gold in the middle of the rock. Thankfulness helped me to be content and at peace with where I was at that time. Discontent can send us in search of Him.
He loves us too much to allow a life without heartache, the kind that leans hard toward forgetting who He is. Shannan Martin (in)courage
Looking at Paul’s words again this week – it’s this verse that stands out as the clincher – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Paul says he learned to be content in the face of hardship. He kept his focus totally on Christ. We all know real contentment doesn’t come from how things are – as if anything will ever be perfect or just as we want it – it comes from who Jesus is. Contentment flows on from our confidence that He is our provider, our protector, our healer, our comforter and our strength. It comes from our hope in Him. With Jesus in our sights we can see plenty when there is lack, find joy when the going is hard, find rest when a battle rages, we can leave questions unanswered and loose ends untied and be thankful right where we are. We can believe today that He is greater than anything we face and bigger than any situation that just doesn’t add up or make sense. He goes way ahead of us yet walks along side us – in all things we are never alone.
His eye is on the sparrow – – – – so I know He watches me (Matthew 6:25-26 Paraphrased).
Let’s remember to pray for our beautiful friend and sister, Sue Sweeney, who is heading up to RPA for a Drs appointment at 9.30 this morning. Let’s continue to pray this scripture in agreement together for her “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture”
Lv Tracey xx