TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (Philippians 4:11 ESV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Today, let’s talk about “Goldie Locks and the Three Bears.” We know the story… a nosy and intrusive little girl barges into someone else’s home and samples their chairs until she finds the one that’s just right… then, she helps herself to their meal until she finds the one that’s just right… and then—brazen girl that she is—she just hops from bed to bed to bed until she finds the most comfortable one that’s just right so she can settle in for a nap. It’s kind of a twisted story of breaking and entering as well as rude and indecisive behavior.
Clearly, Goldie Locks had issues, but we’re not that different. Too often, we try to find that “just right” thing we expect to make us happy and comfortable. We look to quick weight loss solutions, convinced if we could get to a certain weight, everything in our lives would magically fall into place. We get in relationships with people, putting unrealistic expectations on them to be “just right” for our happily ever after. We think the perfect job, perfect house, perfect car—those things will be just right and make life better for us.
How wrong we are about it all…
The only hope we have for a “just right” is found in Jesus Christ. He’s the only source of our contentment, joy, security, and eternal hope. Our circumstances of the last few weeks have clearly shown us that nothing on this earth is guaranteed and we cannot live as if we are promised all the tomorrows we want.
Paul, when writing to the Philippians, shared of how he had found all he could ever need in Jesus. He said, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13).
Surprised? We often quote Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me“ apart from the verses that talk about contentment no matter our circumstances. Paul wasn’t wishy-washy and we can learn much from how he responded to his trials and hardships. He faced beatings, a shipwreck, and prison time. And wherever he landed, he was content because he knew he was where God placed him and he trusted that God could use him wherever He placed him.
As we deal with indecisive weather and temperatures… uncertainties about our health and economic futures… and all the other issues our world is facing—can we agree that God can still use us? Right where we are… While we’re all itching to get out and about, we have an opportunity to praise Him from the couch. Praise Him from the kitchen. Praise Him on social media. Let Him use you where you are and trust that His way is the only “just right” you need to get through the challenges we face.
Today, as you pray, thank Jesus for being all you need. Thank Him that while health, wealth, and people may let you down, He never will. Ask the Holy Spirit to use you where you are and to fill you with a spirit of contentment during these trials.
SHARING ••• Please share with others! Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. Download a free Bible-In-A-Year Reading Plan when you subscribe! Join an online prayer group at www.facebook.com/groups/onlineandonourkneesprayergroup. ***Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture references are from the ESV translation.
