Why We Should be Content no Matter the Situation

Philipians 4:11-13 (The Voice) -  "I am not saying this because I am in need. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances, whether meager or bountiful, where I find myself. I know how to survive in tight situations and I know how to enjoy having planty. In fact, I have learned how to face any circumstances: fed or hungry, with or without. I can be content in any and every situation through the One who is my power and strength."

Paul learned over the course of his life, and wrote about, the secret to be content in every situation. One of my favorite verses in the Bible has always been Romans 8:28. In The Voice it reads: "We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to create something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan." a little later in verse 31 it says: "So what should we say about all this? If God is on our side, then tell me: whom should we fear?

These verses, especially Romans 8:28 have really taken hold in me in the last couple of months and I can't shake it. Nowhere in the Bible are we promised a bed full of roses, nowhere in the Bible does God promise to keep us from the bad things in the world that happen. These are consequences of the fall of man. But He does tell us over and over that He's there for us and that He'll work it all out to our good, if we'll trust Him. What this means to me is that there is no way I can lose as a Christian. He tells me he'll meet my needs according to His riches in glory so if I lost everything tomorrow, so long as I trust Him and give Him the glory I'll be just fine. If tomorrow I was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and given only weeks to live, I know that Isaiah tells me that by His stripes we are healed. Then in Peter we're told that by His stripes we were healed. This tells me that even if death takes me I'm healed. I may not be healed until I'm in His presence but healed I am so I'll give Him glory for it. If I were to be hit by a car and killed or had the tornado last year taken me, I still win, for to live is Christ, but to die is gain as I'd be with Him.

Knowing this, really knowing this allows me to sleep soundly at night, no matter the weather, no matter the circumstance. God has my back and with Him I cannot lose.

Are you having a hard time, are you internalizing your problems rather than giving the problem to God and giving Him glory for the answer that is on its way. We'd all be much better Christians if we could grasp this one, extremely important concept. And if we really got this and lived that way maybe our outward witness would be such that people couldn't help but see Jesus in us.