Facing Afflictions

 “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 4:11-13

With all the ups and downs of recent weeks/months, the Lord has been calling my attention once again to “being content.”

Trying to muddle through in my own strength never works. I need to immediately call upon the Lord to help me.

Affliction/trials/suffering—these things are a largely unappreciated gift in our lives. Everyone at one time or another will face these things. It’s part of life in our fallen world. It’s not whether we will face these hard times, but how we will face them. Life is so worth living despite the hard times and suffering. The challenge is to suffer well—to find the good in the suffering.

A young woman who was crippled by polio attended a conference on happiness. She said, “It is my experience that suffering and pain are, unfortunately, great character builders—not that suffering is good in itself, but because it often helps to shift our expectation of happiness from without to a search for it from within.”

If I’ve learned anything in the last nine years, it’s that there is so much good to be found in times of suffering. There are lessons to be learned that we won’t learn in any other way. Do I wish I hadn’t had to go through the hard times—especially in losing my husband? Of course! But at the same time, I’m so grateful for the closeness of fellowship with the Lord that came out of it and the wonderful lessons He has taught me. Somehow those things help balance the scales of the hard things. There is hope for good things in suffering when we walk with the Lord!

So, to go back to contentment—with the roller coaster of recent times…the Lord has been reminding me to look for the good again in the hard times and to keep my eyes on Him. I will think I’m doing that, and then He’ll show me where I’m trying to make it in my own strength. I’m amazed at how easily I can slip into that mode if I’m not careful!

I’m hoping (and praying) for better times ahead—how I would love that! But I want to keep my eyes clearly focused on the Lord in whatever comes my way. I want to be “content” in every situation with His grace and strength. Contentment and happiness truly come when we stay close to the Lord in trusting Him in whatever comes our way.

“A contented person has learned to accept the bitter with the sweet.” I’m endeavoring to learn that afresh!

Father, work Your divine work in us, that we may learn to be content in all circumstances.