Contentment in All Things

I think I'm in a new/fresh season of learning to be content.

Learning to be content is not always easy.  There are lots of good things in life, but there's also hard things, difficult things, frustrating things, things we wish would change.  We have to daily call on God's grace to be content with whatever He allows to come our way.  And we have to respond in a Godly way.  If we're truly content, we will learn to accept the bitter things with the sweet - the hard things with the good.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  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...I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:11-13

Being content has to do with our attitude, not our circumstances.  We all go through difficult, painful things in life.  How we respond makes a big difference.  I think it also has to do with learning to rest in the Lord - rather than carrying everything ourselves.  And it certainly has to do with trust - knowing that what God has allowed to come into our lives is for our good.....even if we can't see it.

I know I've shared this before, but this quote from Amy Carmichael always comes to mind when I think of my attitude in difficult circumstances.  "The eternal essence of a thing is not in the thing itself, but in one's reaction to it.  The distressing situation will pass, but one'e reaction toward it will leave a moral and spiritual deposit in his character that is eternal."  I want my reactions to leave a positive, Godly deposit in my life!  I daily ask God to help me.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

"My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber."  Psalm 121:2,3

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.  God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer's; He makes me tread on my high places."  Habakkuk 3:17-19

I'm  so grateful that whatever my circumstances, I can take joy in the Lord and find contentment in Him.  I'm still on the never-ending journey of learning to be content, and He is my help and strength!

The Bitter and the Sweet

Happy New Year to you!  My prayer is that it will be filled with God's goodness and closeness to you.  I look forward to what God has for us in this year.

As we came to the new year, I reflected on the year gone by.  Thinking through month by month, it was so clear that God was with me.  The first 7 months were pretty rough, and then I turned a corner and started gaining health and strength.  I have so much to be thankful for.

I saw a notice that said "a contented person has learned to accept the bitter with the sweet."  My prayer is that I will be "content" this year - whatever comes my way.  I'm trusting for God's help and grace day by day.

"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 this through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:12,13

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you."  Isaiah 43:2

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38,39

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."  Psalm 143:8

God is so faithful to help us, to cover us, to protect us, to guide us, and to never/ever forsake us!  I have fresh hope and confidence as I enter this new year.

Contentment Does Not Mean Happiness

A friend of mine is going through a hard time. She asked if I had any thoughts to share about contentment......so it got me thinking. The Bible exhorts us to be content in whatever situation we're in. (Philippians 4:11) I asked myself what that meant for me right now......am I "content" with cancer? Can we as believers be content about something so awful? I realized I can be content without being happy about the cancer!! Contentment has to do with peace. I have felt completely surrounded with peace from the Lord in these months that I've been battling cancer......right from the first moment the doctor told me I had a large tumor. The Bible talks about the peace "that passes understanding" that can only come from God. It's not a human emotion, feeling, experience.....it's a gift and blessing from Him. I know no one could be happy about having cancer, but I'm at peace. I am content but praying for healing. Contentment is a spiritual weapon right up there with faith.

The pain, injustices, and hardships of life are only for a little while. Perfect health, fairness, and lack of difficulties will be ours to enjoy in heaven forever. God has my times and seasons on this earth in His control. Contentment in my situation is a spiritual weapon against the enemy and any of his plans. I'm not happy I have cancer, but, thanks to God's help, I think I am content in Christ. I'm grateful for that. It's definitely a gift from Him.