Another year has come and gone and, as I reflect over the past year, I can see God working in me and teaching me to become more like Christ. Unfortunately, I tend to be a slow learner and it's a long process! However, His patience and grace are perfect, and in spite of all my short-comings He is still making progress!

Fighting to Be Content

I fell in love with the sport of boxing at an early age. So much so, that when I turned fifteen, I excitedly joined the Youth PAL (Police Altehic League) boxing program. However, my short arms, lack of speed, and absolutely no rhythm, helped me realize that I was not built to be a boxer. I became a huge fan of the sport, though, and my favorite boxer of all time was Evander Holyfield. He was the undisputed heavy weight Champion 1990 - 1992. He boxed in three different weight classes, won 44 fights, and 29 of his wins were by knock out! However, one of the great feats of his career was defeating, the formidable and impressive, Mike Tyson; not once, but twice! I also liked his personal story, and the fact that he often had Philippians 4:13 written on his gloves, or embroidered onto his robe and trunks.

Philippians 4:13 states "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Often times this verse is pulled out of context when we are facing difficult situations or impossible odds (such as stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson!) This verse can be a encouraging reminder of God's presence and power in our lives. After all if God is for us who can stand against us? However, the interesting thing about this particular passage is that the Apostle Paul was not facing a formidable opponent, rather his fight was against the attitude of the heart.

Paul wrote this passage while he was imprisoned, and he had many reasons to feel alone and abandoned. Paul had gone from a member of the social elite, to being an isolated and lonely prisoner. He had gone from the comfort of a soft, warm bed and plenty of food to spending his days chained to the wall of a dark and cold dungeon with nothing to eat. This transition must have been very difficult one for him. Yet, through these trials, his faith grew! I can't imagine if it were me in that situation. I know what I would be tempted to think...God I have sacrificed so much for you and this is the thanks I get? Where are all the people that I taught and led, and why aren't they coming to help me in my time of need?

Though I'm not isolated or imprisoned, I feel that God is teaching me the same lesson. I think He wants me to learn to be content in every situation. It's so easy for my flesh to find reasons to complain and grumble. Often times I want to blame God, and other people, when things don't go my way. It really is an issue of a lack of faith, because feelings of discontent stem from our inability to trust God in every situation. It's also rooted in our own selfishness as we feel that His presence alone is not enough to satisfy.

Like the Apostle Paul, I would love to be able to say "I have learned the secret of being content in and and every situation...". However, I'm still learning this lesson, and it's not easy. The way we learn to be content in difficult circumstances is by experiencing difficult circumstances. I know that I've not yet found the secret, but there are a few things that seem to help when I start to feel discontent.

The first thing is that I try to remember is that God is in control of every detail of my life. Nothing catches Him by surprise, and there is nothing that He can't do. I also try to remember that God is perfect, and I am not. His ways are not my ways and He always knows best. Furthermore, He loves me perfectly in every circumstance. When we take time to remember these simple truths, it will cause us to fall deeper in love with God, and a desire to worship Him swells up inside of us. When I'm truly engaged in worship, it's impossible for me not to feel totally content.

In closing the truth is that we have every reason to feel joy, peace, and celebration in every circumstance. Like the Apostle Paul we can learn "the secret of being content in any and every situation". God loves us perfectly, and He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us and that should always be enough!

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 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 all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13