Philippians 4:11-13
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever 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 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.
In this current world, contentment seems to be something that rarely exist. Everywhere we go, everywhere we look, it seems that all things around us dictate that we actually need everything in order for us to survive or be accepted by the society. I remember a friend telling me that one time, her 17-year-old daughter named Trisha was browsing Candy magazine. She commented that she feels as if that the teenagers are being dictated to buy all the things that are featured and that teens should look a certain way to fit or be noticed.... Sadly, the world works mightily on making people more focused on temporal and worldly things, the lure brings great amazement on the very people who think highly of themselves as someone important or those who hide behind the the smiles of confidence but quietly cry inside, seeking to be accepted.
I used to be someone who's very conscious about everything that can be seen by the way I dress, the way I speak, the way I will be perceived by people, etc. etc. for I thought that it was something that will help me succeed or rather be accepted in the world where I belonged. I was able to afford everything that I wanted, everything that will help me improve people's perception about me -- branded clothes, accessories, killer shoes, jewelries, anything that will help boost my confidence. My dependence on money increased, the higher the salary, the higher I spent, buying things that I don't even need (of course at that time I was justifying to myself & to others that I actually need it). My career became my idolatry for the monetary reward that it brings... contentment was something that I thought I had, only to realize that in reality it was just a word but never took it by heart.
When the Lord decided to take away the very thing that defined my life, I felt so devastated and lost. I felt I lost everything, the thought of giving up my own life crossed my mind.
I've gone through a lot of really painful experiences in the past years, things that I never imagined that I would have to go through in this lifetime. I came to a point when I doubted God's love for me, but the Lord revealed that He allowed me to go through things that would hurt me the most in order for me to appreciate everything that the He has given and is continuously giving me, for me to realize what contentment by heart means wherever and whatever situation I may be. Now, I can truly say that I learned the secret of being content in any and every situation and that is only through JESUS CHRIST.
I may have lost some things in the past but now with God in my life I gained everything that I would ever need -- true bliss, pure joy, heartfelt peace, unconditional love and real contentment.
Lord, thank you for the fire and faith-strengthening experiences, without it I will not be purified and ready for your will for me. I'm still a work in progress but I will always be humbly ready to take on anything for the praise, honor and glory of God.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever 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 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.
In this current world, contentment seems to be something that rarely exist. Everywhere we go, everywhere we look, it seems that all things around us dictate that we actually need everything in order for us to survive or be accepted by the society. I remember a friend telling me that one time, her 17-year-old daughter named Trisha was browsing Candy magazine. She commented that she feels as if that the teenagers are being dictated to buy all the things that are featured and that teens should look a certain way to fit or be noticed.... Sadly, the world works mightily on making people more focused on temporal and worldly things, the lure brings great amazement on the very people who think highly of themselves as someone important or those who hide behind the the smiles of confidence but quietly cry inside, seeking to be accepted.
I used to be someone who's very conscious about everything that can be seen by the way I dress, the way I speak, the way I will be perceived by people, etc. etc. for I thought that it was something that will help me succeed or rather be accepted in the world where I belonged. I was able to afford everything that I wanted, everything that will help me improve people's perception about me -- branded clothes, accessories, killer shoes, jewelries, anything that will help boost my confidence. My dependence on money increased, the higher the salary, the higher I spent, buying things that I don't even need (of course at that time I was justifying to myself & to others that I actually need it). My career became my idolatry for the monetary reward that it brings... contentment was something that I thought I had, only to realize that in reality it was just a word but never took it by heart.
When the Lord decided to take away the very thing that defined my life, I felt so devastated and lost. I felt I lost everything, the thought of giving up my own life crossed my mind.
I've gone through a lot of really painful experiences in the past years, things that I never imagined that I would have to go through in this lifetime. I came to a point when I doubted God's love for me, but the Lord revealed that He allowed me to go through things that would hurt me the most in order for me to appreciate everything that the He has given and is continuously giving me, for me to realize what contentment by heart means wherever and whatever situation I may be. Now, I can truly say that I learned the secret of being content in any and every situation and that is only through JESUS CHRIST.
I may have lost some things in the past but now with God in my life I gained everything that I would ever need -- true bliss, pure joy, heartfelt peace, unconditional love and real contentment.
Lord, thank you for the fire and faith-strengthening experiences, without it I will not be purified and ready for your will for me. I'm still a work in progress but I will always be humbly ready to take on anything for the praise, honor and glory of God.
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