CONTENTMENT
«Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have» (Philippians 4:11, NLT).
Liz Carter has suffered from a progressive lung disease ever since she was a little girl. Living with that illness implies spending a lot of time in the hospital, with intense pain. Due to her condition, Liz cannot work, and often has to rest even when she is home. For years, Liz prayed for God to heal her. However, she was not granted that miracle, instead her condition continued to deteriorate. One day, as she was reading her Bible, a verse in the letter to the Philippians in which Paul talks about contentment caught her attention. «l began reading about what was happening in Paul’s life when he wrote those words. He was in prison and ran the risk of being executed,» Liz told me months ago as she was telling me her story. «l realized that when he spoke of contentment, he was obviously not referring to his circumstances. I realized my life does not have to be perfect for me to be satisfied, because God is with me in the midst of my pain.»
Liz told me that understanding that truth gave her a different outlook that filled her with peace. Learning to be content did not imply she should always be smiling, skipping through life, but rather that she should trust in Christ with greater faith and passion. «We receive contentment when we look to Jesus in the midst of our pain, instead of waiting for pain to go away. Exposing our pain to God and others, and not allowing bitterness to become the script or the story of our lives, allows us to enter further into God’s depths and find an unexpected treasure.»
If being satisfied with the situation you are in today seems impossible, remember God’s love is much more powerful than your doubts. And His ability to satisfy you is infinitely greater than your imagination.
Whatever your situation, look to Jesus and allow His grace to surprise you.
Right where it hurts most, help me to discover the depths of your love. Whatever area of my life it is harder for me to feel satisfied in, surprise me with Your grace, Lord.
Give me the unexplainable joy of Your presence and the contentment of knowing Christ is with me every step of the way. Amen.
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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.