Hey friends,
I'm interrupting our She Speaks questions and answers to talk about today's devotion from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
This devotion couldn't have been published at a better time. How precious of God to remind me to be content in all things.
If you've been reading my blog over the last few months you know that our youngest son had to move back home because he can't find work in his field as a pilot. He is also making decisions we are unhappy with.
In all honesty, friends it's been a struggle for me to balance contentment with the waiting.
In this journey, I've said the wrong things at the wrong time. I've kept my mouth shut when I should have spoken words of grace.
I want to fix this for my child, and I want to fix this for me. Some days I really do think it's all about me.
I'm learning thorough this process that it's when I step outside myself and empty myself of my-self that's when I experience real contentment.
I want to be like Paul and have an attitude of unselfish humility and to see this time of waiting as a divine appointment. I'm in awe of his unrelenting attitude. I am content when I lose. I am content when I am weak. I am content when I'm insulted. I am content when I endure hardships. I am content with persecutions. I am content with difficulties.
When I reread these words, I am better able to remember my God's providence over my life and all the details it contains. It's then I can see EVERYTHING He brings to my life as His divine appointment for me.
What about you friends? Are you struggling to find contentment in your life right now?
Please share your story with us.
11 Comments:
This devotional came at the right time for me also. Our oldest son (21) is having some health issues right now, that may not be severe, but are requiring some testing (wearing a monitor and taking some extra medication) that he does not like. I've always wanted to help and make things better, but cannot on this one. We are not sure when he is going to be able to see the specialist, and he will be going back to college soon. All of this is keeping us up in the air and his dissatisfaction of having to go through all of this is making life uncomfortable. Yesterday the verse in Philippians 4:6-7 came to me--"Do not be anxious 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 minds in Christ Jesus." I realized that I am pretty good about saying the right things to other people when they are suffering, but I don't take my own advice. I believe God is calling me to be content and to be joyful despite whatever this hardship may bring. God is wanting me to walk the talk. Thank you so much for your encouraging words.
Thank you so much for your timely devotional this morning!
It is true. We are to be content, because that is showing our faith in God's care of our souls!
Lord I believe. Help my unbelief!
Blessings,
Karen
Great timing with this devo and comment from "anonymous". This message couldn't have come at a better time. My husband and I have been grumbling about our 18 year old and the other 3 children, but mostly the 18year old and his disrepect, laziness and so on. Joy seemed so far from reality till today. These gentle reminders are what God sends are way when we need a make up call. I'm not well "versed" but I do bring up verses to others, these two in paticular a lot when trying to cheer or encourage others but don't use it on myself. Thanks so much for listening to God and reminding us of his truth.
JOYfully HIS! :)
Christie
Hi Zoe! Needed to read that this morning! The last several years it's been everything from health issues to leaving my job after 10 years to not finding another one, our oldest daughter with heart problems to me with two minor surgeries and not having any income since 2008 and my husband in school trying to finish his degree to hopefully pastoring again. So much more I could write about. God has shown us alot and we have alot more to see and learn. It has been difficult and with no money left it could get worse but thru it all we are learning to trust that God has it all under control, not easy sometimes because we are human and we want to fix it and that it is not about us! We also are trying to sell our home, we feel it is time for a new beginning. I will be praying for you and your family and would covet your prayers for mine!
Blessings
We have had an issue over the past few weeks of having my husbands job up in the air. He is hard working and dependable. So when I see that he may get fired do to a group effort, I have been discouraged. The first piece of truth I remebered is I can have peace since God is the ultimate provider and he knows what is best for us and will take care of us. I still had a horrible attitude towards a big wig in the company that hasn't been so nice when it has come to this. But late last night I just began to pray for her. My attitude changed toward her and I am again back to a better place. Amazing how I feel better when I take the focus off of me.
Anonymous said...
This is totally for me today. Thanks.
7:21 AM
Anonymous said...
This was for me too. Sometimes humility is difficult. But I need to allow God to reveal Himself to others by allowing Him to show His strength through my weaknesses. I'm so glad I don't have to rely on my own strength.
7:45 AM
Anonymous said...
i only recently discovered contentment... i use to get upset about mistakes made, especially those made by myself.... Like me booking return flights from gauteng to durban monday afternoon instead of sunday... My family was not impressed with me but however because i had to be at work on monday i had to drive back home for 6hrs instead of flying....
Oh, how did you know I so needed to hear this today!! My business is going down the tubes and I am really struggling. I've also go major mother-in-law issues this week.
I want to freak out and throw a major temper tantrum, but I know it won't do any good. My head knows that God has something great planned out of all of this, but my heart needs to be content in the moment.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Zoe, Thanks for being led of the Spirit. . . your P31 devotion was just for me this morning--in fact right before I read it I had asked the lord to restore my joy and started looking up every scripture on joy in my concordance. I have been struggling lately. . . . all I can do is cry. My husband has taken offense with someone in our church once again and is holding on to anger and bitterness from over 20 years ago. . . He is not going with us to church anymore and wants us all to change churches. I don't want to go. Our church has a great youth program and our son who was saved a couple of years ago, just walked the aisle this last Sunday and wants to be baptized. We have resigned our positions in the church as I would rather go somewhere else with him than go without him anymore. Please pray for us, pray that I would be the wife I need to be and pray that I would learn as Paul to be content no matter what the circumstances!
Is it ok to ask a question about She Speaks today?
When we arrive at the hotel (assuming we're staying at the conference hotel) do we register for the conference first or check-in with the hotel, or does it matter? Also, how early can we check in with the hotel?
Thank you!
"Do everything without arguing and complaining..." Tough one my friend.
You know what I struggle with? (Well...one of the things :)
When to express honest emotion and when to restrain. As I shared with another friend recently, I was raised in a home where "pink" was the color of decor and decorum. We were always taught to "put on a happy face". Learning to be 'real' and express myself openly has been a struggle for me. I don't allow people to see my emotions easily. For myself personally, I struggle not so much with responding by reacting, but responding by being real. I can outwardly give the right and expected reply, but in the process my heart gets buried.
Oh that I would just be who God desires me to be.
Sorry Zoe...just have a lot going on right now. Besides all the conference prep stuff I'm working on, and the nervousness accompanied with my trip, Dad is not well at all. Living day-by-day. Even had to surrender this entire trip and be willing to pull out should it come to being needed here at home. I'm just sad, but trying to live out these verses of being content...but wondering when do I get to sit down and just cry.
Love ya my friend...and still praying for you and your family. Hoping to see you soon,
Hugs,
Joy
I know this is a bit late... I have been picking and choosing the morning devoes and came back to this one, again, today...
Thank you for encouraging us to keep our eyes in the right place!
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