{"id":1573,"date":"2017-11-20T16:46:58","date_gmt":"2017-11-20T21:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/?p=1573"},"modified":"2018-09-22T09:57:31","modified_gmt":"2018-09-22T13:57:31","slug":"embrace-the-trial-part-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pibcny.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/20\/embrace-the-trial-part-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Embrace the Trial \u2013 Part 6"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We are talking about the process of embracing our trials. In\u00a0part one<\/a>\u00a0we\u00a0discussed the \u201cpoem challenge<\/em>\u201d. In\u00a0part two<\/a>\u00a0we sought to understand the \u201cWhy\u201d question and why it is the\u00a0unproductive <\/em>question.\u00a0In part three<\/a>\u00a0and part four<\/a>, we considered God\u2019s character\u2014\u201cwhat God\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0like\u201d and \u201cwhat God\u00a0knows<\/em>\u00a0is best.\u201d In part five<\/a> we sought to understand the struggle<\/em> of the ongoing trial. Here in part 6 we come to the topic of contentment<\/em> in the trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Contentment \u2013 \u201cEmbracing God\u2019s Sufficiency<\/em>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recently, I was in the process of preparing a Sunday morning message when I found myself struggling with being content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the midst of my current trial, as I battle with a number of health concerns, my three-year old accidently poked me in the eye and scratched my cornea. I found this painful and discouraging, but I also found myself on the wrong end of discontentment. This incident coincided with a busy week with a tight schedule and no room for distractions, let alone poor eyesight and additional visits to doctors and waiting rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back on the timing of things I see the wisdom<\/em> of God. In my eyes this was absolutely the worst timing possible, but in God\u2019s infinite and perfect wisdom He knew I would gain the most from having this personal object lesson to pave the way for change. I also see God\u2019s humor<\/em> as it made me the object lesson for the message I was preparing. A few weeks prior to this, the Lord had laid on my heart His will for our church to study Paul\u2019s letter to the church at Philippi. In the fourth chapter of he writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith<\/em> to be content.\u201d\u2014Philippians 4:11b<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I contemplated on the setting where these words were written and my heart was struck with rebuke. I know that the trial the Apostle Paul endured was far greater than my own, yet saw how he surrendered to God\u2019s way and submitted to God\u2019s wisdom and understanding. How did he do this? How could he write these words with such honesty without even a hint of underlying sarcasm or bitterness? Instead there is obvious peace and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I meditated upon this passage, a simple outline rose to the surface which explains Paul\u2019s contentment. It begins with the premise<\/em><\/strong> that I can be content<\/em> in any circumstance no matter what (v. 11). It is then followed by two simple yet profound promises<\/em><\/strong> which speak of God\u2019s sufficiency<\/strong> regarding His strength<\/em> (v. 13) and His supply<\/em> (v. 19). The reality of profoundly obvious<\/em> truths in Scripture is that unfortunately they are often practically obscure<\/em> in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often what appears so simple and clear on the pages of God\u2019s Word and even in our minds remains hidden in our lives.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This was clearly the case, as I meditated upon this passage and was struck by how practically obscure<\/em> these truths were, right at that moment in my life. With this realization I bowed my head in repentance. Then knowing God\u2019s forgiveness, I smiled seeing God\u2019s perfect timing, bringing me into a head-on collision with the details of my life and these truths that were so absolutely necessary to confront them and bring my heart to rest. The encouragement<\/strong> came as these truths began the twelve-inch journey from my head to my heart where they found a resting place and where my heart found the much-needed contentment even though the circumstances had yet to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul begins with a premise<\/em> that on the outset is bold and daring. He says, \u201cI have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith<\/em> to be content.\u201d It is a statement that, at first, comes across as \u201ctoo good to be true\u201d or may be only something that is for the \u201celite Christians\u201d like Paul. But after further consideration and drawing in the promises<\/em> that follow I see that this premise statement is meant for me\u2014it is meant to be one of the statements of my life. It is meant for each of us \u201cordinary Christians.\u201d God desires that my heart would rest content \u201cin whatsoever state I am<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we consider the promise, keep in mind that Paul\u2019s statement isn\u2019t a lesson that just came naturally to him but was one that he \u201clearned<\/em>\u201d by experience. It was through trial after trial as he \u201clearned<\/em>\u201d to rest in the stabilizing truths of God that he was able to, with a clear conscience and genuineness of heart, speak these words that, most often, seem to defy reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now consider the promises<\/em><\/strong>, as pillars of truth, upon which the house of contentment is built. The foundation<\/em> of these pillars is the sufficiency of God<\/strong>. Paul writes, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is<\/em> of God<\/strong>.\u201d\u20142 Corinthians 3:5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key to contentment begins first with a proper understanding of our inadequacy<\/em>. Until we find ourselves to be lacking in our own ability to sufficiently deal with every detail of life we will never look outside ourselves and look to God. It is through the trials of life that God brings us to the end of ourselves\u2014to the end of the fa\u00e7ade of our own sufficiency and sovereignty as we turn to Him in dependent trust finding Him to be sovereign over all things and sufficient for our every need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first<\/em> promise of God\u2019s sufficiency<\/strong> from Paul deals with God\u2019s power<\/strong>\u2014learning to rest in the strength of God<\/em>.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can do all things through Christ<\/strong> which strengtheneth me.\u201d\u2014Philippians 4:13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This verse gives us both the strength<\/strong> and the source of contentment<\/strong>, which is the Power that comes from within\u2014the indwelling Holy Spirit Who enables the believer to do all that the Lord calls upon him to do and go through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor it is God<\/strong> which worketh in you both to will and to do of His<\/em><\/strong> good pleasure\u201d\u2014Philippians 2:13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is God working in us giving us the desire to do His \u201cgood pleasure<\/em>\u201d but also empowering us as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd God<\/strong> is<\/em> able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,<\/em> may abound to every good work\u201d\u20142 Corinthians 9:8<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the grace of God at work in our lives as we humble ourselves before Him, for \u201cGod giveth grace to the humble<\/em>\u201d (1 Peter 5:5).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning to rest in this truth of the sufficiency of God\u2019s strength for every situation of life is vital to our contentment in life. When the temptation to give in to sin is seemingly greater than your strength to fight, run<\/em> to Christ<\/strong> and remember<\/em> that He has promised that His strength will be sufficient. Remember the promise that \u201cI can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth me.<\/em>\u201d Whatever state you find yourself in, trust Him to be sufficient to carry you through. Remember,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFaithful is He<\/strong> that calleth you who will also do it.\u201d\u20141 Thessalonians 5:24<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth is that I can be content in every circumstance because God\u2019s strength<\/em> is more than enough. His strength<\/em> is sufficient for me to stand fast against the temptation of discontentment and trust His providence to be right and best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second<\/em> promise of God\u2019s sufficiency<\/strong> from Paul deals with God\u2019s provision<\/strong>\u2014learning to rest in the supply of God<\/em>.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut my God<\/strong> shall supply all your need according to His<\/strong> riches in glory by Christ Jesus<\/strong>.\u201d\u2014Philippians 4:19<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this verse we see the supply of contentment<\/strong>. I find it interesting to consider our American definition of the word, \u201cneed\u201d as defined by how we use it. Quite often we use the word \u201cneed\u201d where we should be using the word \u201cwant\u201d instead. God has not promised to supply our wants<\/em> but our genuine<\/em><\/strong> needs<\/em> or those things that He defines as necessary. Once He stops providing it, it is no longer necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to keep in mind that our needs come in positive<\/em> and negative<\/em> qualities. The positive<\/em> side of our needs are those things that God provides that we are lacking such as financial or health needs. On the negative<\/em> side we see those things that are painful which God uses to teach us wonderful truths but also help us to deal with specific sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth is that I can be content in every circumstance because God\u2019s supply<\/em> is more than enough. His supply<\/em> is sufficient to help me rest in His providence and stand fast against the temptation to doubt that I have what I need or that God will fail to provide it in His perfect time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary<\/em>: Biblical contentment becomes a reality in the believer\u2019s life when we become humbly dependent<\/strong> upon the Lord for both His<\/strong> strength<\/strong>, to endure our trials, and His supply<\/strong> for our every need. Biblical contentment is learning to thank God for our troubles while we are still in them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u201cSo, embrace the trial, My dear child, My best is what you\u2019ll see,Beyond the suffering you feel, My Son they soon shall see.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n