Contentment

                                                                                                                                

Aloha Dearest Family,

                Life is full of ups and downs. There are times spent in abundance and peace and then times spent in distress and trouble. Someone once said that life is boring, except for the times when it’s terrifying. That line still gives me a chuckle. It’s not accurate but it is funny. The key to living life in peace is learning how to live in contentment, no matter if things are going well or not. Trouble will come whether you’re a Christian or not, whether you’re living a holy life or not.

                I once asked a friend at work how he was doing and he said, “Pretty good, but it’s early yet.” His viewpoint was, so far it’s a pretty good day because nothing bad has happened yet. This mirrors the viewpoint of a lot of people. So many of God’s people are “circumstance” oriented and a good day hinges on what they may experience during their day instead of the constant of God’s goodness and kindness to us that will never change. For these people “happiness” depends upon what “happens” to them. I saw a great Christian movie a few years back called “Facing the Giants”. It’s about a losing football coach who goes to God because of his many fears and failures. He then changes his team’s philosophy and teaches them to give God all that they could give on the field and leave the rest to God. One great line in the movie is, “We’ll praise God when we win, and we’ll praise Him when we lose.” If we want to live a life of contentment we can’t afford to have our circumstances determine whether we have peace in our lives or not. 

No one knew this better than the Apostle Paul. Throughout his life he experienced all of the aspects of success and distress. But he dealt with them much differently than a lot of people do.

                ..I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I 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. (Philippians 4:11b-12 New International Version) 

When Paul was writing this he was in prison, chained to Roman soldiers. You would think that his state of mind would have been down-hearted and defeated but his attitude was not controlled by the situations he found himself in, so his attitude was much different. The next verse tells us his secret of true contentment no matter what situation he found himself in.

                I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. 

Most of us know this verse well. But most people emphasize the word “I” in this verse and not “Christ” - the one who gave Paul his strength. A couple of years ago I found a great translation of this verse, 

I can face all conditions for my union with Christ continually infuses me with strength. 

Because he was united with Christ in all that he did, he was continuously infused with strength so that his circumstances did not matter. 

                Another great example is Jesus Christ himself. Just a few hours before his arrest, Jesus told his disciples, 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) 

Jesus said he was giving them “his peace”. At this point in time Jesus knew in detail all that he would have to go through in his upcoming torture and crucifixion; the worst circumstances that a man could face. Yet he said he had peace. This is more than astounding! I don’t know of anyone that would have peace at a time like this. How did he? His peace was not contingent upon what he saw or experienced. His peace stemmed from knowing who he was and what God had called him to do. And doing his Father’s will was all he wanted to do. He lived, ate, breathed, yearned for, was obedient to all things pertaining to his loving Father. Because of this, God was able to strengthen him in what he would have to do. He did not leave His only begotten Son alone through all he was to face.

               Jesus Christ also said that in the world we will have tribulation (John 16:33). Keep in mind that we live in a world run by the evil one and he wants to kill, steal and destroy. Catastrophe is his M.O. The only time we will experience lasting contentment is the day Jesus Christ returns for us. On that day we will have brand new incorruptible bodies and we will receive crowns and rewards for the work that we did for Him on earth. In the future worries and cares, sickness and pain, all crying and tears will be done away with. This is the life that awaits us. But until that day comes, we can bask in the knowledge that our heavenly Father will never, never leave us and never, never, never forsake us, no matter what. With this we can be content because our rescuer is the Creator of all the heavens and the earth and everything else there is. What a God!!!

                                                                                                            Love Always, Ray