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"I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
(Philippians 4:12-13)
Philippians 4:13 is one of the most quoted and beloved verses in the Bible. But when taken in its context, it makes us appreciate it even more. When I think of these verses, I am reminded that it is a mark of spiritual maturity when you and I can be content, no matter our circumstances. This is a lesson God is teaching me. (I am a slow learner at times, so He is still teaching me this!)
As I mentioned yesterday, I have been struggling with back pain to the point where I am getting an MRI next week. For 60 years of living on this earth, I have been able to do pretty much anything I wanted to do physically. God has blessed me with strength and good health. But age 61 has been a different story. Most of this year has been hard physically. Not only is my back hurt, but I have also developed a rash on both my arms that required me going to the dermatologist. Rachel is my dermatologist, and she is very good at her job. I am reminded of what another skin doctor told me when she first saw me for an appointment. She said, "You and I are going to become good friends." I was thinking to myself, "I do not want to be your friend!" But she was right. Because of the fairness of my skin and the years of being sunburned as a kid growing up in Alabama, I had to go see her and many other dermatologists in my life.
But God is so good. He is teaching me much about myself. We can do all things through Jesus who gives us strength—even being content! Now, I know we all have struggles. For some, it may not be physical, but it may be emotional, mental, or even spiritual. Ashley and I watched the new movie "I Can Only Imagine 2" last week. It is a great movie with many powerful truths communicated. It details the struggles of two men: Bart Millard, the lead singer of Mercy Me, and Tim Timmons, who was a frontman for some of their tours. I will not write more about the movie as I do not wish to spoil it for you. I do encourage you to bring some Kleenex with you when you go see it.
A friend told me that we should never miss what God is trying to show us during suffering. Are you suffering? In what ways are you struggling? Let me encourage you to surrender your life to Jesus day by day. Ask Him for the strength to endure, be patient, and develop that muscle called contentment. You will come out of this trial much better if you can learn the lesson of allowing gratitude to mingle with your grief.
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