Can we talk for a moment? Pull up a chair and let’s spend this time to get to the heart of the matter. Are you content with your current circumstances? Are you happy and satisfied with your life right now? Have you found yourself being anxious and sometimes fearful?

The last 12 months has been a challenge for most and a struggle for many of us. COVID has kept us from family, severely limited our travel and entertainment, and greatly reduced our church ministries.

Some of us have streamed church for almost a year now. I never knew how much I would miss meet and greet time or coffee with my brothers and sisters in the fellowship area. I’m a hugger and I miss seeing smiles now hidden by masks, and bumping elbows just doesn’t cut it for me.

What conversation runs inside your mind when you go about your day during these strange days? If we are honest with ourselves, we may hear the sounds of grumbling, or maybe anger and bitterness about our changed circumstances. Fear and anxiety begins to creep into our minds.

So how do we redeem these thoughts and sanctify our minds so God is honored and glorified? Paul says in Philippians 4: 11-13 “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 to be the secret of facing hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul says he has learned, which means he didn’t do this naturally or of himself. He does this through Christ who is his strength.

Earlier in that chapter in verses 6-7, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We redeem or take captive these thoughts (2 Cor 10:5) by giving them to Christ through prayer.

We go to the only one who is sovereign over all things. We cling to the goodness and mercy of our Savior. And it says that we do this with thanksgiving. Why? Because we know that He hears our prayers and He works all things for our good.

Before we even know how God will answer our prayers, we rest in the knowledge that He loves us and tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and mind. Like a sentry standing at their post, the God of Peace will give us comfort.

Jeremiah Burroughs (see the book review in this POST) says God has set this time of your life as the time to provide for eternity. If we are so taken with the sweetness of prosperity that we scarcely give any thoughts to our dependence on Christ, then may we see these times of affliction as a wakeup call to our ever-present need for contentment and a settled satisfaction in Christ.

And when circumstances change and we find ourselves in abundance, we will have learned to be content and praising God, blessing God, believing in His Word and trusting in His Word. Ultimately this is just a light and momentary affliction when viewed with eternity in mind. Maranatha!