By Anne Graham Lotz
Have you ever felt torn between what is
and what should have been, could have been or would have been if such and such
had not taken place?
Have you ever been plagued by the “if-onlys”? If only I had not done that … said that … gone there. If only I had said that … done that … gone there.
Have you ever been desperate to be in two places at the same time?
Have you ever been deeply disappointed that your life has turned out differently than you had dreamed?
Have you ever longed for deep peace and contentment, yet they both seem to be elusive?
The Apostle Paul testified that in spite of beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, robberies, pressures, fears, betrayals, hunger and suffering of every conceivable type, he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11).
How could Paul be content in every circumstance? He was content because he had abandoned his life to God. He knew ultimately God was in control. And while God’s will could possibly be delayed, it would never be thwarted. Paul expressed it this way: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, NKJV). The secret to contentment is to be totally yielded to God. To climb up onto the lap of your heavenly Father by faith, let Him wrap His arms of love around you, and then just nestle down into His will.
Have you ever been plagued by the “if-onlys”? If only I had not done that … said that … gone there. If only I had said that … done that … gone there.
Have you ever been desperate to be in two places at the same time?
Have you ever been deeply disappointed that your life has turned out differently than you had dreamed?
Have you ever longed for deep peace and contentment, yet they both seem to be elusive?
The Apostle Paul testified that in spite of beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, robberies, pressures, fears, betrayals, hunger and suffering of every conceivable type, he had learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11).
How could Paul be content in every circumstance? He was content because he had abandoned his life to God. He knew ultimately God was in control. And while God’s will could possibly be delayed, it would never be thwarted. Paul expressed it this way: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, NKJV). The secret to contentment is to be totally yielded to God. To climb up onto the lap of your heavenly Father by faith, let Him wrap His arms of love around you, and then just nestle down into His will.
