Contentment
Today, you’re going to appreciate the joy in all the little things, see all of the blessings, and trust that even the challenges have a purpose in stretching and molding you into the person you are capable of being.
Thank you my friend.
This week while we have been on vacation, several challenges have distracted us from fully appreciating this joyful time together. Things change so much in life, and before you know it, another season of life is just memories that we’re appreciating from afar. Let’s appreciate them up close today.
Even if a storm comes and knocks out our power and sets our yard on fire while we are far away and can’t do anything about it ourselves — let’s trust that God knows what he’s doing, that we have others we can rely on and aren’t alone in this, and that even THIS has a purpose. When unexpected explosions break out (whether metaphorical or actual) and scare us and those around us, let’s be the voice and example of calm, and give each other room to recover, and let’s deescalate and help each other rather than go to war against our friend and family. There is nothing that overcomes fear and anxiety like contentment.
PHILIPPIANS 4:11–13: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
I found a great blog here on Contentment that encouraged me: https://blog.truthforlife.org/10-bible-verses-on-contentment
Lord, we have no reason to doubt you, yet we sadly do far too often. You see us running around frantically like a scared puppy wanting to get away from the loud explosions, not knowing that we are meant to look up at these times — in order to see the beautiful fireworks — and that we can shield our ears from the necessary sound that produces them. Calm us in your loving embrace, and let us know that we are protected. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 