I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men, most richly blessed.
By an unknown (U.S.A.) Confederate soldier.
I really like this old poem because it speaks volumes. It encapsulates the total perspective of man's wants versus his needs. What we want in life is the demon that haunts us from the cradle to the grave. Notice in the poem that the author got nothing of what he asked for, but all that he had hoped for. Had he gotten what he asked for, it would have destroyed him.
I rejoice in the knowledge that God has to turn us down sometimes lest we destroy ourselves in vain pursuits. We know our wants but only God knows our deepest needs. We are so driven by the world's pressure for success that we have almost forgotten the reason and purpose for which we were created. We drive ourselves to wits end trying to make things happen. And not only are we trying to make things happen but make them happen our way. This allows us to boast, "Look at what I have done, all by myself." We are deeply entrenched in self-projection rather than promoting God's program here on earth.
But Paul learned a valuable life lesson. He stated "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. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Now, Paul did not come to this awareness overnight. No, it came at the end of a long struggle. He is writing from his prison cell at Rome to a congregation at Philippi. He is pouring out his soul telling them how kind they had been. He is thanking them for their gifts and thoughtful expressions of love. But understand, Paul is not asking for pity. He reminds them that though he is in jail, all is well; that he found his strength within the framework of his faith, that he was content even in prison, that he was in charge and that nothing had jurisdiction over him, that the prison was both his office and his pulpit.
Paul lived in a time when Christianity was more than respectable church membership. It was more than a handshake and more than shouting "amen;" It was more than holding an office or singing in the choir. Being a Christian in Paul's day was a life threatening experience. Following Jesus demanded blood and tears, suffering and sorrow. So Paul was in jail most of the time because the gospel he preached was not soft platitudes. It was not "politically correct." It was not soothing, don't want to offend anybody kinds of sermons. The gospel Paul preached insulted and infuriated people, especially the authorities.
Yet, Paul grew in jail. He became the great Apostle that he was in jail. Many people wither away when confined, but Paul grew. His best sermons were written in jail. One of the best lessons I have learned is that it does not matter where you put the true church, it does it redemptive work. In Paul's day and time, the world felt threatened by an aggressive and militant church. Of course, this is not the case today, is it? Today, it appears as though the church and the world are kinfolks, kissing cousins, bosom buddies. Almost all of our churches are doing excellent housekeeping but poor street cleaning. We have more churches today than we have ever had in the history of the world and yet, there are more young men in prison than in college and increasingly women are filling our jails as well. Violent crimes continue to increase and has invaded almost every stratum of life. Now do not get me wrong, the church is making some difference, but not nearly enough. It has lost its power.
What I am trying to stress is that Paul had to contend with a much more hostile world that was threatened by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had to suffer much for the Christian cause and yet he could assert, "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. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." This is a significant declaration in light of his profound suffering.
Paul's encouragement to the Philippians is also our encouragement. Consider his afflictions and trials:
- I was beaten 5 times by the Jews with a whip
- 3 times I was beaten with rods
- Once I was stoned
- 3 times I was shipwrecked
- On many of my missionary journeys, I was in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, dangers from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from backstabbers.
- I have been in toil and hardship constantly
- I experienced many a sleepless night
- Often I was hungry and thirsty, without food or water
- Sometimes I was cold and exposed to the elements
- And apart from all these things, there was the daily pressure of my anxiety and deep concern for all the churches.
Paul was no stranger to life's roadblock, detours, potholes and dead-end streets. He knew what it was like to experience disappointment, disillusionment, depression and defeat. He understood difficulties, sorrow, ridicule and betrayal. He knew pain, and suffering and unrelenting troubles. And yet, in the maturity of his faith, he was able to declare, "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. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Paul did not have time to sit around and feel sorry for himself. He adjusted to his circumstance and worked in it. He refused to allow any situation, regardless of how challenging it may have been, to deter him from his work.
When things are not going the way you want them to, what do you do? Do you complain about your situation and feel sorry for yourself? Do you blame others, or the system or God for your circumstance? Do you wonder what did you do to deserve your troubles or wonder why God is picking on you? Stop singing the blues; nobody wants to hear it. Ninety-nine percent of life is attitude. The kind of attitude Job had when he said, "Even though he slays me, yet will I trust him." The kind of attitude Paul had when he said, "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. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." The kind of attitude the Canadian Terry Fox had after losing his leg to cancer. When asked, where do you go from here Terry? He said, "Well, I think I'll run a little bit." So with one leg and a prosthesis, he ran halfway across Canada until cancer took the other leg and spread to his lungs. Terry had learned the secret to being content whatever his circumstance. He made appropriate life adjustments and worked within it.
I recall a particular Thanksgiving service held at a church I use to pastor. People were rising to give thanks to God for so many things. Some thanked Him for being able to pay off mortgage notes, some thanked Him that there was no death or sickness in their home; some thanked Him for their jobs and good health. An elderly woman sitting in the back of the church stood up. She stated that things had not gone well for her during the year. Her son died, her health deteriorated, she could barely make ends meet on the little social security she was getting. She said, "But children, I thank God that it is as well with me as it is." You cannot beat that. It is the words of one who has learned how to be content in any circumstance.
To learn how to be content in any circumstance necessitates that you begin by making the decision to take life where you find it and work with it. Now, this is not easy. It is one of the most difficult tasks ever to be tackled by man; to be limited and restrained and yet, be content. It is something you have to painfully learn. It is a dilatory process. And it is not something that we can achieve on our own. Paul said, "With the Source, I can do all things." He drew his power and strength from a Source outside of himself.
It has been my discovery that living close to the Source takes the limits off of you. If you live close to the Source, the Source will strengthen and take care of the substance. If you take care of God's business, God will take care of you and your business.
How can you be content in ALL circumstances? Take life where you find it, whatever the circumstance, and work within it.
Saundra L. Washington D. D., loves the Lord and His people. She has served in the Christian ministry for over three decades and is currently the Founder and Executive Administrator of AMEN Ministries. The central focus of our ministry is providing resources and services to the bereaved and those who care about them.
You are invited to visited AMEN's home and Grief Center in your leisure.
» left by Charlie from London, UK (99 days 22 hours ago.)
Strange - and wonderful! - how when we stroll around the pathways of the internet, what much needed jewels we stumble across suddenly. And so it was with your eloquent and life-enhancing article, Lady Dove!
A joy to read and a real reminder of what I need to know deep within my heart over the coming months. It is so easy to be filled with fear and intrepidation about changes in circumstances or for that matter, being stuck in a situation without change. Either way, it's good to be reminded that in the grand vista that is God's eye on creation, we must simply trust that the way however hard and uncomfortable, will always eventually lead to Him.
And in that thought, we must be content to trust.
Thank you Lady Dove and may God bless you and keep you always!!
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it immensely. It is people like you who provide us with feedback that encourages and spurs us on. Again, thank you.
» left by Gloria Delorme from Regina, SK Canada (13 hours 57 minutes ago.) New Comment!
Thank you, I have been in the midst of a "Pity-party" and needed the wak-up call. I found this site by searching " Content in any circumstances" and I am sure that I was God-led. May God continue to annint and bless you in the ministry. Blessings
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