Wednesday Words of Encouragement
Ephesians
4:10-13~
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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 things through him who gives me strength."
"If
I get this new job, then I will be happy." "When my husband starts trying harder, our marriage will be good." "If we move to a bigger home, then things will
be great." "If we only have a ladies Bible
study, men’s breakfast, youth group, etc., then church will be wonderful."
We find all kinds of ways to be discontent, don’t we? We gripe and complain our way through most of our day, and to be honest, most of our lives. We blame everything and everyone else for our lack of contentment. I fall into that trap, and I’m pretty sure you do it also.
How does one have contentment no matter the circumstances? Look at the life of Paul - imprisonment, beatings, shipwrecks, and suspicion of fellow believers, hatred of enemies, hunger and thirst. Yet he can boldly state that he is content. Paul found the secret that we all need.
The thing that leads to contentment is the belief that you can do anything through Christ. He is your strength. If you do something in your own strength, you will fail. If you do it to please someone else, you will falter. If you do it through Christ, you will succeed.
That means you can face illness or financial hardship. You can deal with an unbelieving spouse or children. You can handle living in a small, cramped house or trailer. You can deal with anything.
Contentment is achieved by taking your eyes off the circumstances and putting them on Christ. If you find yourself complaining constantly or being negative, all that means is that you’ve shifted focus. Your eyes are back on the perceived problem and not on the Lord.
Keep looking to the Lord and allow Him to work in the circumstances. As you seek to grow in Christ, and to become more like Him, spend time every day in His word and prayer. As you focus on Him, contentment takes over.
Keep your eyes on Him. Face the day with His strength and then you will find that contentment.
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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 things through him who gives me strength."
We find all kinds of ways to be discontent, don’t we? We gripe and complain our way through most of our day, and to be honest, most of our lives. We blame everything and everyone else for our lack of contentment. I fall into that trap, and I’m pretty sure you do it also.
How does one have contentment no matter the circumstances? Look at the life of Paul - imprisonment, beatings, shipwrecks, and suspicion of fellow believers, hatred of enemies, hunger and thirst. Yet he can boldly state that he is content. Paul found the secret that we all need.
The thing that leads to contentment is the belief that you can do anything through Christ. He is your strength. If you do something in your own strength, you will fail. If you do it to please someone else, you will falter. If you do it through Christ, you will succeed.
That means you can face illness or financial hardship. You can deal with an unbelieving spouse or children. You can handle living in a small, cramped house or trailer. You can deal with anything.
Contentment is achieved by taking your eyes off the circumstances and putting them on Christ. If you find yourself complaining constantly or being negative, all that means is that you’ve shifted focus. Your eyes are back on the perceived problem and not on the Lord.
Keep looking to the Lord and allow Him to work in the circumstances. As you seek to grow in Christ, and to become more like Him, spend time every day in His word and prayer. As you focus on Him, contentment takes over.
Keep your eyes on Him. Face the day with His strength and then you will find that contentment.
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