June 15 – Contentment

Written on June 15, 2009 by emily

I think I’m learning. At least, I can say I am experiencing it in greater measure than I ever have before. There are still some stresses and some struggles, but at the heart of it, I have a deep sense of peace about the season I’m in and the season that’s coming. I think the real difference is, I see that every problem has a solution. Not all of them are easy, and not all of them unfold neatly like I’d hope, but there is not a problem I’ve faced yet that hasn’t had a solution. Some solutions are simple, and require very little effort. But some only come with sacrifice, patience, and perseverance. I find that the process to reach some solutions involves more growing in character than anything else, and even though those times are uncomfortable, I heartily welcome them.

I think back to one year ago. Two years ago. Three years ago. At each of those times, I may have handled the same problem very differently. And I’ll probably handle things differently as more years pass…but what I’m excited about is to see that where I once had voluminous amounts of unrest and anxiety, I now have voluminous amounts of joyfulness, purpose, and peace. And I’m still growing. I think it is important to take stock of our victories from time to time. Of course, I’ll attribute the credit to God for every victory in my life, but I did play a part, and I am still the one choosing to say yes to Him every day, so I think its important to see and understand that while I’m still in process, I’m a victor. It is easy to think very opposite things about yourself. After all, failures seem to pile up much quicker than victories, and if you measure your worth by your failures, you won’t be traveling in a positive direction. I’m learning to see my victories like stones across a wide wide river…each one is a step toward another stone, and now that I see all the stones behind me, I realize that I’m really in the middle of this wide, powerful, rushing river…right where I belong.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I 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. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:11b-13)

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