Contentment, even with Life’s Curveballs

My family currently is in a period of transition as we make a move back to Lexington.  This has created a feeling of being unsettled as we just got into Etown about two and a half years ago.  With the current move, we felt it would be best to rent a home for a few months while we decide which neighborhood is best for our family.  While there is overflowing excitement with the move, this period of adjustment brings with it some anxiety and anticipation.  It is this feeling of uneasiness that got me thinking about my daily contentment.

I find it very easy in my life to do one of two things: (1) look at things in my past and remember how great they were, and (2) look at things in the future and anticipate how great they will be.  Don’t get me wrong, remembering the “good ol’ days” and having a hopeful attitude about the future are not bad things, but I do think they allow me to forget how blessed I am during the present moment.

Paul discusses contentment a lot in his letter to the Philippians.  One of the most popular verses, Philippians 4:13, says “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  In this verse, he is stating that he can be content with any circumstance or situation, whether “facing plenty or hunger, abundance or need.”  While my family and I are hardly in hunger or need, feeling content in the current situation can be a challenge as we continue to look forward to getting settled in Lexington.

In periods of change, I think trusting in God and His guidance is so important.  I believe that He is sovereign and that He uses the circumstances, both good and bad, in our lives to reveal His grace, mercy, and love.  Although we can have uncertainty about a situation, we can be certain that God is in control and has a purpose for the circumstance.  Romans 8:28 states that “In all circumstances, God works for the good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.”  This means He is working things out for our good, even if we can not yet see it.  Kind of like the Beatles in their song “Revolution”…”Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right.”

I pray that my family and I will learn from Paul’s words and take them to heart.  Not only during this period of transition, but each and every day and no matter what curveball life throws us.