Contentment.

Have you found that being content is sometimes difficult in this life of isolation, disability, and chronic illness? I have. I want things “my way.”

That basically means that I would like to be able to do a ton more than I can currently do. I want to be out and active. I want to be able to go out of the house without having to prepare for every possible allergen, germ, or irritant that I must avoid or medical issue that could arise. I want to be able to budget without having to budget for the hefty medical expenses.

I think, in a way, that contentment is giving up control to God. It is allowing Him to do with my life what He knows is best.

While in prison, Paul wrote to the Philippians about how they had taken care of him. He tells how he has learned to be content. He simply accepted whatever came, whether that meant having a lot or a little.

Philippians 4:11-13, “¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Do you notice that he was content with what he had? He was not wanting more, not feeling entitled to them serving him due to his incarceration and circumstances, but was content. He left all control to God.

Did you notice that he also had to learn this? It is not something that comes naturally. He had to learn to be content.

Could he learn this in his own strength? No. He goes on to tell us that it is through Christ that he does these things. It is not easy. It is good to be content and to give control to God.

Wow. I am challenged and convicted. This time of year, as I suspect happens with you who are disabled and isolated, I long to get out. The winter can be long and hard. I long for spring and begin to get “cabin fever.” I pray that God will help me to learn to be content in this time and to use it for His glory through Christ!