How many of you can dance when everything around you is falling apart?
How many of you can laugh when everything around you makes you want to cry?
How many of you can truly be content just where you are right now in your life?
I have been on both sides. Experiencing moments of contentment, but sadly, experiencing many more moments of being discontent. As life happens; as it will, I have given in to desire. I have cried, shut down mentally, grumbled, and complained. I questioned God so many times about my unanswered prayers, my financial state, and a list of other situations I was experiencing. After getting off the floor, wiping my eyes, and blowing my nose. God in His perfect timing led me to James 4:1-3 (NIV).
The Holy Spirit used His power to cause me to take an introspective look at my desires and showed me my discontentment came from wanting my life to be a certain way and when I did not receive it in the manner in which I thought I should, it caused internal unrest in me. I cried again...
As believers, none of us set out to be grumblers and complainers, yet there are times when going after the spirit becomes secondary and we choose our flesh first. There is a constant battle between our will and God's will, however, I am learning (it's a process) to lean not to my own understanding. As brother Paul stated, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.12 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.13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13(NIV)
The secret to being content in any situation is by being in Christ. We must live out Christ in our everyday lives. we must be intentional about being grateful, we must go to Him because of our relationship and not our routine. My prayer for myself and you is that we will let this mind (our mind) be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Today, let us take on the mind of Christ in every season of our lives.