I Have Learned To Be Content
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I
will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is
pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is
anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things
that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of
peace will be with you.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now
at least you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for
me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in
need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is
to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all
circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry,
of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who
strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.
Have you ever had “peaceful anxiety?”
It means you know something is beyond your control, but you still know that it
has to be done. You know that all things come in God’s time, but you just don’t
know in what form it will come. Your inability to do something about a problem
can be matched with your confidence in God, for whom all things are possible.
It is comforting to know that such things are in our Father’s hands. The
problems we face in life can be taxing on us – physically, emotionally, and
spiritually. Yet, as we learn to trust in the Father’s care, we can have the
peace that not only surpasses all understanding but also overcomes our anxiety.
We can be at rest, for we are in God’s hands.
When we keep
our minds on God, God will keep our minds at peace.
Our Daily
Bread –