PINIMAGEYears ago, when I was pregnant with Abby (now 15) I took nesting to a whole new level. While Mark was off at work, I went into the garage and opened the large box that held our new computer desk and hutch. He said we’d put it together when he got home but I thought, if I tackle this thing one step at a time, I could do it myself.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS!
I began carrying the pieces, a little at a time, into our family room until the box was empty. Then I took some tools from the toolbox and got to work. As I looked at the catalog of instructions I realized, for this piece of furniture to be any more unassembled it would’ve had to been a tree that I cut down, planed and stained myself. The job was tedious! But since the box was unpacked and all the pieces were strewn across the room, I knew I must continue on.
Hours past and I felt such satisfaction as I neared the end of assembly. That was until I noticed, looking at the schematic, that one of the largest pieces I had put in place was BACKWARD! Now, understand, this wasn’t some simple quick fix.! That was like step 42 and I was now on, let’s say, step 75. To correct it meant I would have to undo the steps in between.
Did I mention I also had pregnancy rage?
I had all the pieces. I had the time. I had the instructions. And now I had a BIG problem!!! All because one large piece was out of place.
All because one large piece was out of place.
Last week I was struggling under a weight of anxiety and frustration.
I wanted to blame the weather. We’ve had several weeks of rain and cold temperatures.
I wanted to blame the kids. They seemed to be unusually complaintive and difficult. Never mind the fact that everywhere they went they left a trail of messiness behind them.
I wanted to blame it on the pressure I was feeling. I was preparing to speak at a large Mother’s Day event and it seemed difficult to find the alone time I wanted to study.
I wanted to blame my hormones.
You name it…it was partly to blame.
And I was grumpy. I was irritable. I was quick to find fault. When you get right down to it, frankly, I was afraid. I was afraid that something would fall through the cracks. In all these things, I felt a heavy weight of responsibility. I felt that I must control it all. I felt I had to and yet I couldn’t. Feeling this heavy weight skewed my perspective on everything. I prayed. I asked God to help me not feel anxious. I asked Him to take care of all the concerns in my heart. I asked Him to fix it.
But the truth of the matter was that there was just one thing missing.
SOMETHING WAS OUT OF PLACE.
Contentment
Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
I was praying daily. I was spending time with the Lord. In fact, I couldn’t wait to unload all the trouble and burdens I carried on my shoulders.
Sounds like a good thing doesn’t it.
But what about CONTENTMENT. The word hadn’t even crossed my mind.
I studied the original Greek word for “gain” in the verse 1 Timothy 6:6. It’s described as “to procure” or “a providing”.
So let’s look at it again, “Godliness – (reverently pursing after God) with contentment (the state of being content with one’s circumstances) is great gain (a providing, a means of gain.)
Who provides?
God provides for us as we trust Him and remain contented in the circumstances He ordains for us.
I had forgotten that all the circumstances I found myself in last week, brought with them God’s provision. They were God appointed. In them I could trust the Lord and be content. He would bring about a great “providing”.
The reality was that much of the burden, much of the weight I carried about, was discontent.
Believer, are you struggling with anxiety, with fear? Have you taken it upon yourself to control the situation you face and fear it’s too big for you? Have you been banging on the door of heaven wondering why God won’t help you fix your circumstances?
I get it. Maybe, like me, one big piece of the puzzle in your life is out of place. Maybe you’ve been working so hard to control the outcomes around you you’ve forgotten you can rest in His plan.
I’m asking God to help me find contentment in Him. I’m asking God to help me let go of the outcomes. I’m asking God to help me remember He is the blessed Controller of all things and I can place all my cares in His hand. Contentment – I want to be sure that this important piece is in it’s rightful place.
Today I leave you with this devotional. It spoke comforting words to my heart. I hope it blesses you too.
C H Spurgeon –
“Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, and selected for you the safest and best condition. A ship of large tonnage is to be brought up the river; now, in one part of the stream there is a sandbank; should some one ask, “Why does the captain steer through the deep part of the channel and deviate so much from a straight line?” His answer would be, “Because I should not get my vessel into harbour at all if I did not keep to the deep channel.” So, it may be, you would run aground and suffer shipwreck, if your divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession. Some plants die if they have too much sunshine. It may be that you are planted where you get but little, you are put there by the loving Husbandman, because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto perfection. Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances, and if you had the choosing of your lot, you would soon cry, “Lord, choose my inheritance for me, for by my self-will I am pierced through with many sorrows.” Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good. Take up your own daily cross; it is the burden best suited for your shoulder, and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God. Down busy self, and proud impatience, it is not for you to choose, but for the Lord of Love!”
