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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. Philippians 4:12
A friend of mine makes the statement “You can do anything for awhile if you see the end in sight.” There is some truth to this statement. If we know the struggle we are in is temporary we know we can probably endure. For example, a runner will see the finish line ahead and often get a quick burst of adrenaline that helps to cross the finish line.
But what about in the spiritual life? What about those times along this journey we call life when we don’t know the outcome. When the doctor’s report isn’t what we’d hoped. When our children start making bad choices. When our spouse begins to drift from us emotionally. What then? If we don’t see the end in sight what helps us to keep going?
It’s during those times when life seems uncertain that we need to look at the life of Paul and his motivation for moving on. Today’s verse seems like a ‘pie in the sky by and by’ statement until we realize what had happened in the life of Paul. He’d been stoned and left for dead. He’d been lost at sea after a shipwreck. He had spent nights in the cold dark cell of prisons and, on one occasion, lived through an earthquake while underground. Relationally he was hated by many of his closest friends, held in suspicion by his new friends, critiqued for his preaching and leadership styles, and now, sat in a Roman prison awaiting execution!
So with all that history and an uncertain future what was his secret to ‘being content’? Paul had learned the hard way that God can see us through anything. What Paul is NOT saying is that life in Christ is a breeze, and void of any adversity or conflict. What Paul IS saying is that every time he came upon an obstacle he found that his faith in Jesus Christ was powerful enough to see him through!
In Christ you can do anything when you realize that whatever is going on in your life is temporary. Temporary in the sense that here on earth the worst that could happen is death, and, for the Christ-follower the best that could happen is to be transformed from this frail human body into the glorious body we receive when we see Jesus.
Learning contentment comes from seeing how God helps you through adversity. Sometimes you don’t see it until you’ve come through the fire or through the flood. Sometimes you don’t realize it until after the divorce or miscarriage. Sometimes you won’t realize it until you are on the other side of life, looking back as Paul did.
The Psalmist says (Psalm 34:8) to taste and see that the Lord is good. Until we’ve tasted of his goodness through adversity we will never learn contentment in this life.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for the reminder that you know better than anyone what I’m going through right now. I don’t see even a hint of light at the end of this tunnel. I have no idea what lays on the other side. Empower me with your spirit to taste your goodness in the light of this trial. Let me look back on my life to see how you have seen me through. With you on my side I know I can ‘do anything’ because my future is in your hands. In Jesus name, Amen.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
The book of Matthew tells the story of the time Jesus and his disciples got into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. As they were crossing a furious storm blew in and threatened to break the boat apart. The terrified disciples tried everything they could do to save the boat and themselves but the situation grew worse.
In the midst of their terror they noticed Jesus sound asleep in the back of the boat. While they were frantically trying to save their lives, Jesus was sleeping soundly like a baby! He was completely oblivious to what was going on around him.
The disciples woke Jesus up and asked Him if he cared that they were about to die. Some may question whether ‘ask’ is the right word here. It’s likely that the combination of fear, frustration and the noise of the wind made their ask more like a yell. Perhaps even a scream!
Jesus woke from his sleep and calmed the storm with a single word. Jesus questions the men about why they are afraid, but it is their lack of faith that seems to bother Jesus more. His reaction teaches us a valuable lesson; one which, if we could learn it and practice it, would change our lives. The disciples fear was a secondary reaction. It was their lack of faith that was the primary concern. If they had believed, truly believed who Jesus was they would have been enjoying the thrill ride that He had provided them!
The Psalmist writes, “I sought the Lord and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” We aren’t told exactly what brought David to his knees in earnest prayer. However, his request was apparently NOT that the danger would pass. He prayed and the answer came; the answer was the removal of fear!
There are many things which make us afraid in life. Debt, war, natural disasters, relational issues, politics, health issues and many more. But there are many wealthy people who fear financial disaster and many poor people who are quite content with their condition. There are many people with terminal illness that are more at ease with life than healthy people who fear getting cancer!
Fear doesn’t always have a direct correlation to the calamity that besets us. We can live in the most adverse situations and not be afraid or in despair if our hearts and minds are set on Jesus and His love for us. If we truly believe that Jesus loves us and protects us, then there is nothing on this earth that we need fear.
PRAYER: Holy God, I worship you for being the all-powerful, all-knowing creator/sustainer of the universe. I confess to you the things that make me afraid today. In my heart I know you have all things in control but my mind constantly tries to steal my faith and replace it with fear. I ask that your Holy Spirit would keep me from worry or fear. Help me in my darkest most fearful hour to sleep in the back of the boat as you did. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 