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
