“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.” – Philippians 4:11, NLT

One solid lesson that is taught is to be content with what we have, and this is important to our well-being.  In my situation, I struggle with this because there are so many things going on that I can’t be content with.  It isn’t that I’m consumed by greed, but sometimes I have to wonder: can anyone be content if their situation was like mine?

I have a lot that I am thankful for.  I grew up with my mother and father, I have love from my older siblings, I have great friends and neighbors and co-workers, and I have a job with health benefits.  I also have a wonderful wife, children and grandchildren that make my life more colorful, and most important, I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, as I acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord.  These are things that I can be content with, along with having a decent amount of food, clothing, shelter, good health and a great family.

There are some areas where I struggle with contentment.  I have difficulty dealing with debt; car repairs are needed; the search for meaningful and lucrative work are rarely found to be one in the same, when it comes to work I would like to do; I haven’t been able to catch up on sleep much and I marvel at seeing others who seem to have it all together or at least have a substantial handle on these things and more.  Why can’t I do some of the same things they do, like pay off debts, go on great vacations, do incredible things for their spouses and kids, and at times have great fun.  I may be a little jealous when it comes to comparison, but I have to appreciate some of them sharing the blessings with me from time to time, so that is another type of blessing I am truly thankful for.

So here’s my Question of the Day:  How can I be content with all that’s going on to keep me from being or staying content?  Much of it has to do with focus.  If my focus is always on gaining things that are always out of reach, I lose sight of the goodness that surrounds me every day.  If I focus on the blessings I encounter on a daily basis, I have a better outlook on life, and I find that I don’t have to be depressed or melancholy, and if the feeling grows enough, there may be enough greatness to share with all of those around me, and that’s a good thing in itself.

Another word in Scripture says it best.  “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT.  As a good friend of mine once said, and I have come to understand, we may not be able to be thankful for everything that happens in life, but we can be thankful in the midst of life itself, where we can take the bad with the good.  Somehow, in Christ it all works together for good (Romans 8:28).  These times of difficulty I face – some of which may be from choices or mistakes of my own doing – don’t have to bury me if I don’t let them.  I have decided to go on, and I invite you to go on with me.  We can make it, if we put our hope and trust in God, and seek His strength which is beyond our own.  Let’s trust Him today.