“Contentment is simply trusting that God has already given us everything we need for our present happiness, no matter how dire our afflictions.” ~Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni became a quadriplegic after a diving accident when she was 17 and has also fought cancer not just once, but twice. Yet, she just continues to consistently point people to Jesus and praise Him.

This morning as I was getting ready for a day filled with doctor appointments, work, and the tasks of life with a disability & chronic illness, weariness set in. I began to feel overwhelmed. Then, quietly Holy Spirit brought two words to mind. “Be content.”

Oh… yes. I need to be content. I have everything that I need today. I have Jesus. I can praise Him. We have looked at these verses before, but I needed them today and thought you may as well. Paul wrote them from prison. Let that settle in.

Philippians 4:10-13, “10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Php 4:10–13.

We can learn to be content no matter what. How? Through Christ who strengthens us.

A fairly new song has helped me as I travel this road of recovery that is honestly a bit challenging. I have to ask God to make it well with my soul. Basically, it helps me remember to be content.