I was mindlessly scrolling on my phone this morning trying not to think about the issues that I was having with this site last night that even the AI assist function on the platform couldn’t fix. Then, “remember who it’s for” popped into my head. I felt God telling me, “this is My work done through you and it’ll come to pass how I’ve ordained. Don’t worry about the technical issues. Just keep a willing heart.”
Other than that, I’m feeling unsettled and spiritually blocked this morning like I’m having a hard time accessing Your voice. Is this an indication that I need to lay down a worry to You (unrelated to the site) or that I’m focusing too much on lack?
I look across the room and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” catches my eye on a bag that I’ve been needing to put away (since December, yup). The encouragement began to flow. Every hard thing that I’m facing in this season, I can do it because my strength, wisdom, creativity, ingenuity, and sustenance don’t come from me. They come from You. You strengthen me to endure faithfully and to be content.
Philippians 4:10–26
- v.11 — “not that I was ever in need…” From prison, Paul is saying he has all that he needs. Surely I have all that I need, even in the midst of unemployment and financial uncertainty, if Paul had all he needed in prison.
- v.12–13 — Paul says the secret to living in every situation is assurance in Christ’s strength in me which enables contentment in every circumstance.
- v. 19 — for the person reading this right now, the same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs too.
Paul shows us that it’s possible to suffer and be content. When hope is not in our circumstances but in the God who stands outside of them and time itself, contentment is not only possible; it’s a reality. It’s our portion as believers. Often we want the suffering to end so that then we can experience joy and contentment, but if that’s the case, it means we live waiting and striving for the next time that we can have peace.
I don’t have a magical “5 Steps to Contentment,” but, I have a real time example. I started off this quiet time feeling unsettled and spiritually blocked not able to fully articulate why. Then, instead of wrapping up my quiet time prematurely, I sat a little longer with my face in my hands desperately hoping for a word from God. That’s when He pointed my eyes to the scripture in my room and the floodgates of wisdom opened – like a dam breaking (I’ve been watching the movie Hoppers with my son so maybe that’s why dams come to mind).
Phil. 4:9 says when we put into practice what we’ve learned, the God of peace will be with us. I can testify that’s certainly the truth for me in this moment. Contentment comes when we practice, when we keep showing up no matter how stuck we feel. It’s the day-to-day, moment-to-moment work of continuously turning my focus back to Christ who strengthens me. Practice can feel hard, unnecessary, or inconvenient when I don’t slow down enough to put in the time. Honestly, it’s hard even when I do because it’s natural to my flesh to worry or focus on what’s causing me discomfort so that I can remove that thing. It takes work to constantly keep my mind on what’s going well and what I do have, especially in a season of unprecedented uncertainty for me personally.
So, no “5 Steps.” It takes work, practice, and consistency to transform our habits and our hearts. Probably not the answer many of us want to hear when we prefer instantaneous transformation that sticks. Regression may occur even within the day. Just fix your eyes again on Jesus. I’m sorry it’s hard. I’m sorry it may not come naturally. I’m sorry it doesn’t even feel worth it some days to keep believing and showing up in faith. But, guess what? You’re here right now reading this (if you made it this far 🙂 ). You already showed up. Keep going. I pray that God continues to nudge you throughout the day with reminders that He’s with you, for you, and gives you strength to endure. We don’t supply the strength to endure and to be content. We supply the willing, open heart. It’s working even when we don’t see it or feel it. *cue Way Maker*
We don’t supply the strength to endure and to be content. We supply the willing, open heart.
yada 