Philippians 4:11-12 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”

As we begin to follow God’s vision for our life, it is important to realize that there are times when we are fulfilling God’s purpose that things are not going to go as we would hope. The Lord’s plan does not guarantee there will never be any trouble, pain, or trials. It is our old nature, when these times come, to immediately begin thinking the plan has somehow failed and start looking to change or “fix” things. When faith combines with a commitment to God’s vision and these times come, we won’t abandon God’s plan, but rather we’ll accept the suffering, we’ll press through it. We can’t do that if God has not become a distinct part of every area in our life. If God is excluded from certain areas in your life, you leave yourself vulnerable in those areas to being lured from his prescribed purpose. God has a purpose for every person, every circumstance we find ourselves in. When things are hard - push through. When things are good, gratefully acknowledge the blessing. Just like the riches the world chases after, time (days) is the currency of our lives. Invest them wisely. Hold fast to God. That is the secret. Be content.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have given me a tremendous example of how God’s plans work out. Your life was spent following the plan he laid out for you. Even when it looked to me like everything had unraveled and failed, you pushed through. When times got hard you leaned on the Father. In the end, it worked out perfectly, exactly as he intended. Help me when trouble comes to not give up on his plan. Help me to keep the vision even when it looks like everything is going wrong. Lord, teach me to be content, knowing that time invested in our Father’s vision will reap good things if I don’t fail. Let me be found faithful, Lord - Amen.” Attachment