One of my neighbors was pouring her heart out to me the other day about how she was feeling depressed and discouraged. As we chatted, I reminded her of how the Lord had answered so many of her prayers in recent days. She gave me a blank look, and that’s when the Holy Spirit led me to share an analogy with her. I told her that when my husband, Joe, and I go out to eat, there are times when he has no idea what would satisfy him. He scours the menu for a long time, and he picks something he’s not even sure he wants. The result is that he leaves the restaurant totally unsatisfied.

At the risk of offending her, I then shared with my neighbor a passage of Scripture where Jesus talks about “the people of this generation”: “They are like children sitting in the market place and calling to one another, and saying, ‘We played the flute for you [pretending to be at a wedding], and you did not dance; we sang a dirge [pretending to be at a funeral], and you did not weep [so nothing we did appealed to you].’” (Luke 7:32 AMP) I told her that Jesus was basically saying to His audience, “No one could please you!” And I tried to help her to see that God had already gone to great lengths to satisfy her, but she refused to acknowledge it and give Him thanks. Finally, it dawned on her, and she confessed that she hadn’t looked at her situation from God’s perspective until now. It changed her whole outlook, and she went away happy.

As followers of Christ, you and I need to be very careful that we don’t overlook the Lord’s blessings. When we do, we can begin to suffer from a vague feeling of dissatisfaction and discouragement, and then nothing can satisfy us. The apostle Paul wrote: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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.” (Philippians 4:11-12 NIV) How did he do it? The next verse tells us. “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (v. 13) Just as Paul did, you and I can “learn” to be content in every situation and circumstance. We can do this by relying heavily upon God’s grace and wisdom. Paul also wrote: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV) Paul suffered horrendous adversities during his lifetime, but it didn’t stop him from being content, joyful, and thankful. May we follow his example as we live our lives for Christ!

Prayer: Lord, please teach me how to be content in any and every situation. When I am tempted to become dissatisfied or discouraged, help me to shift my focus to all of the blessings You have already given me. Make me a joyful and grateful servant, and show me how to pray the prayers of Your heart. Thank You that as I rejoice in You continually, I will draw others to You and Your truth!