Being Content

DOING LIFE IS TOUGH.  Things don't go the way we plan.  The Waiting Period between where we are and where we want to be seems endless.  Yet we're not supposed to wish our life away...I need to live each day.  I need to accomplish something with what I have been given.  I can't waste what I have while I wait for what I want.   So I sat down to journal last night about the word CONTENT.  I know from growing up in the church that we are told a number of times to BE CONTENT and rejoice in circumstances where others would wallow in their misery.  Believe me I know what it feels like to wallow...and while it may feel good while you're eating the ice cream, it does nothing to improve your situation.

I looked up content on my BibleGateway app.  The first verse to pop up was in Philippians 4, and honestly the whole chapter is encouraging and awesome, so read the whole thing.  This is what I wrote:

From Philippians 4  (NIV)

Stand firm in the Lord.

Be of the same mind in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

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, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied…And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

The secret of contentment in any and every situation...is that we LIVE THROUGH HIS STRENGTH GIVEN TO US.  HIS EMPOWERMENT. HIS GRACE.

In our own strength we wallow.  We whine while we wait.  In his grace we can be content.  Not content WITH our circumstances, but content WHATEVER the circumstances...because we know He is able to get us through and we can depend on Him.  He's my Provider.  He is my Protector.  He desires my attention and trust regardless of my circumstances...and He's WORTHY.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find REST for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

"'If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know You and continue to find favor with You.  Remember that this nation is Your people.'  The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'  Then Moses said to Him, 'If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.  How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless You go with us?  What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?'  And the Lord said to Moses, 'I will do what You have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.'  Then Moses said, 'Now show me Your glory.'"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI

The Silver Chair

The good and beautiful Queen is dead.

Now old and ailing, the King is left without an heir.
The Prince has disappeared without a trace.

All hope seems lost.

A hidden kingdom, just below the surface, waits to attack.

The rightful heir to the throne is deceived.

The Enemy hides behind a beautiful face.

Aslan is on the move.

Two children are hiding from the bullies.

One seeks to return to the Land where he was changed.

Pole and Scrubb are needed.

The Prince must be found.

Jill must remember Four Signs.

They miss the First, but travel North.

Puddleglum the Marshwiggle is to be their guide.

The Second Sign sends them to the city of ancient giants.

Fear and hunger lead them astray.

Words of comfort lead to capture.

They must escape the giants' Autumn Feast.

The Third Sign leads them UNDER ME.

Now prisoners in Underland, trapped in the dark.

The Black Knight warns them, is he friend or foe?

Tied to the Silver Chair he cries out in the name of Aslan.

The enchantment is broken and Prince Rilian is free!

They must escape the Lady before the attack is begun.

The Prince fights the Green Serpent and avenges his mother.

The Lady's empire begins to crumble.

Through a hole they find Narnia and friends.

The Prince discovers the extent of his deception.

He would have led the attack on his own kingdom.

And ruled as a puppet for an Evil Queen.

Now he waits for his father's return.

Caspian X returns from the East.

His reunion with Eustace and Rilian is sweet.

On his deathbed he blesses his son.

He awakens in Aslan's Country, young again.

Aslan opens the Door and Caspian glimpses our world.

Aslan's roar shakes the walls, and the bullies run away.
Pole and Scrubb no longer fear them.
They are now Friends of Narnia.

Before the Last Battle they will return.
To fight for Narnia against the Calormen.
The Seven Friends will stand that day.
Kings and Queens forever, in Aslan's Country.