Contentment

     Happy New Year! As you sit today and ponder the year stretching out before you, what is your mindset? New beginnings, letting go, fear, excitement, anticipation, dread? Life holds the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the new and the old, and God is there through it all.

     My word for this year is, “contentment.” Being content with whatever life holds can only be found as we allow God’s lead, as we acknowledge His authority, as we stop and experience His presence. He will get us through each and every day, with compassion, with love and ultimately, with hope.

     The apostle Paul had his share of ups and downs through his years of ministry, much of those years filled with suffering and hardship. You can read a list of just some of what he went through in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30. There are two Scriptures that inspired me to use the word, “contentment” this year, both scripted by Paul. With all Paul suffered, including being whipped and flogged, starved, shipwrecked and imprisoned, this is what he says,

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content no matter 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 to being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11-12

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

     There are no crystal balls to plot out our year ahead, and that is ok. God is with us, in plenty and in want, in our sorrows and our joys. With Him, we can strive to be content as He continues to work in us and to work through us. Paul continues to speak to us about contentment. How is it possible? Here is our one and only answer.

I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

     His strength. His power. His lead. His way. Contentment. Ahhh…lean on Him.

Lord,

Give us contentment each day, no matter the circumstances. Give us Your perspective as we look ahead to what is next. Take our hand and show us the way.

In Jesus name,

Amen