Journal Entry ~ 11/11/19

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:11-13

God wants us to learn how to be content and trust Him in every circumstance, but this training is challenging and requires us to endure many hardships. On some days, I am pretty content, and on others, I cry out to Him and He comforts me. Knowing that He hears and encourages me strengthens my peace and contentment, allowing me to continue through the day.  

By definition, contentment means to be completely satisfied with our circumstances. When we are content, we do not want for anything, but simply accept things as they are. This means we accept our current financial situations, our relationships, our jobs or careers. It doesn’t mean we don’t lift up requests to God about places we would like to see Him work, but it does mean at the end of the prayer, we are willing to accept our circumstances exactly as they are, without feeling anxious or fearful, angry or bitter, discouraged or defeated.

Those are much easier words to type out than they are to live out. In every circumstance in my life, I must accept with contentment. Every circumstance - that means I must be content with every frustrating or anxiety producing moment and I must satisfied with every heart break and defeat. 

So how do I find that contentment? I’ve found it by clinging to the promises found in scripture. The truths in His Word ease my mind and bring me peace, and singing His praises releases all of those pent up anxieties about the trials I am enduring. I know those sound like Christian platitudes, but it’s where I’ve found freedom from my lack of contentment. His Word has instructed me that discontent is grave sin, and He commands me to be content, but it’s more than that. His Word is filled with promises about His love and His plan for me, and His sovereignty and His goodness. I know He loves me and I can trust that He wants what is best for me. His sovereignty allows every circumstance into my life for a specific reason, so I can can m confidently trust that if I’m walking through it, He has a perfect plan for my good in it. 

Hope is the power to be joyful in circumstances we know to be desperate, and it starts with contentment. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Medical Update ~ 09/27/17

Image
Today was a challenging day.  I met with the oncologist to discuss chemo as part of my treatment plan.  The oncologist explained there were 3 additional invasions discovered during surgery, so there were actually 4 isolated invasions in the breast tissue.  To review - my diagnosis is Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  All 4 of the invasions are HER2+ (aggressive) and hormone negative (recurrent).  My oncologist walked us through the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCM) guidelines for treatment of this type of aggressive, recurrent cancer - chemo and radiation. The good news is God had already moved the mountain in my heart opposing chemo, and rested me in a place of acceptance.  While my initial prayers focused on not having to have chemo as part of my treatment, after hearing I had multiple invasions, He moved me to a place of understanding that chemo is a necessary part of my treatment.  If there were 4 invasions in the sample they took, there co
Read more

My Journey Begins...

I am a believer in Christ, and I have breast cancer.     On August 17, 2017, I was diagnosed with an aggressive (HER2+), recurrent (hormone negative) type of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.  At this point, they have not yet staged my cancer because they are waiting for the biopsy results from a suspicious spot in the second breast. The biopsy is scheduled for September 5th, with a lumpectomy to follow on September 7th.  They will formally stage my cancer after they biopsy my lymph nodes, which will be taken during the surgery.  It doesn't make any sense to me that I have a cancer diagnosis - I am a fairly healthy woman who runs 2 miles almost every day and eats a gluten-free, primarily paleo diet, with no family history at all.  But it makes sense to God, and so here I am. Update ~ They found 4 isolated invasions during the lumpectomy.  Due to the nature of my cancer (HER2+ and ER-), the recommended protocol is chemotherapy and radiation.  Beginning in October, my chemotherapy regime
Read more

Grace in Marriage

When we launched our new blog we had no idea if anyone would see it or be helped by it, but we knew that the LORD was prompting us to step out in faith and just do it. The response has been amazing and we are looking forward to how God will use this space for His glory. We have learned over many years of service in a variety of ministries, that God does not require human assistance to realize His plans for individuals, churches, nations, or the human race. But the story of the bible is the story of God’s will playing out through the words and actions of the His children. So…we pray, meditate on his Word, and write from the heart about the truths that mold our faith, guide our actions, and inspire our hearts and minds. Please visit the site and subscribe to continue receiving posts.  https://graceinmarriage.com/ It is our sincere hope that you are blessed by our work here and welcome your input on how we can make Grace in Marriage even better. Thank you for your support.
Read more