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Contentedness (Philippians 4:12-13)

Scripture of the Day: Philippians 4:12-13

12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Sometimes I feel like I literally need this tattooed on my person somewhere! Contentedness...so glorious a thing, but almost impossible to feel (at least in this household)! It is my greatest personal struggle, and I don't think I am alone there. It is a new struggle though. 

I find it kind of funny because a while ago I pointed out this verse to my husband who was feeling very discontent and simply asked, "Do you think God will keep you right be where you are until you are content there?" In other words, it was  him who was having the problem and at that point I was perfectly happy right where I was!

It is now a question I need to ask myself. There are several little things right now that are causing me to be stressed out and the root cause is discontent. I would like a little more of this, a little less of that, a small change here, a big change there, more of a relationship with this person, less of a relationship with someone else. What seems to be lacking in my equation is enough Jesus!

I really have all I need. The people who are in my life are there for a reason. My life situation teaches me lessons daily and I need to be open to those lessons instead of fighting them. I need to lean on Jesus Christ not only because he  gives me strength, but because he has placed in this place and this time. I need to be content today, in this life, with all the blessings I tend to forget instead of dreaming of being content in some other life that isn't really mine! 

Do you struggle with the same things? Are you content? Or wish you had more (or less)? Friend, let's look to Jesus and pray that it is he who gives us the strength to get through every day - whether on that day we have less than we think we need, or more than we can imagine! 

Closing prayer:

Heavenly Father God, help us be content. Help us lean on Your Son for that contentedness. Finding it on our own in this day and age seems impossible. Pinterest and FaceBook (and the list could go on and on) seem to boast all that others have or can do and it is all too easy to feel our lives are lacking. Help us be more like your servant Paul. Help us look at our lives from the lens of what YOU are trying to teach us instead of what WE would like to change. When we try to get through daily (or consistent) struggles on our own we come up dry. It is you who fills us up. Help us remember that in our hearts and minds. I pray these things in Jesus' Name. Amen.


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