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How, Lord … can I be content?

In the Word

… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11b).

Of the Word

Is your cup half full or half empty? Do rose bushes have thorns, or do thorn bushes have roses? It’s all a matter of outlook, isn’t it? The story is told of a poor woman who wore only one glove on a freezing day. Someone commented sadly, “Oh, I’m so sorry you lost a glove.” “Oh, no,” the woman replied, “I found a glove!” Her attitude made a big difference.

When St. Paul wrote many of his letters, he was incarcerated. Do prisoners usually write letters of advice and encouragement? Are they serving their sentences while saying, “I am content here”? Probably not!

The contentment Paul experienced was God’s gift, a gift that began when He called Paul to Himself on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1–22). He calls us today, offering us faith to trust Him and the gift of an attitude of praise. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD … is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation (Isaiah 12:2–3 NIV 2010).

Walking with my Lord

Lord God, forgive my dark thoughts and sour attitudes. Give me faith to see Your blessings, and help me be content with my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 29/32 ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV 2010) are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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