South Florida Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Related Articles
Brent Myers
Have you noticed that Summer has arrived? If you haven’t, just wait, you will. This is how I can usually tell that our wonderful south Florida Summer has come: when I bathe, get dressed, walk outside the house thirty feet to my car and when I get in – I feel like someone has rubbed a glazed doughnut all over my face.
Is it just me? I doubt it.
But don’t misunderstand my description for complaining. Several years ago I learned a very valuable lesson that has had a profound spiritual impact on my life. There was a July Summer day that I was grumbling about how hot and humid it was and wondering aloud how nice it must be in another part of the country. At that moment, a wise man looked at me and said, “Brent… it’s hot everywhere in July.”
Wow!! Simple, but so true!
He wasn’t providing a meteorological analysis of the climate zones of the United States, but instead he was telling me: “Be content.”
Too many times in our lives we look at our circumstances and wish things were better – or at least different. But spiritually speaking, we need to learn to be content with the life that God has given us – even if it stinks (for right now.)
St. Paul wrote these words: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:11-12)
Paul was sharing the reality of his life – that he had learned to be content. Whether he was poor or rich – regardless of the circumstances of his life – he was content. Oh, and just for a frame of reference… Paul wrote these words while in prison in ancient Rome!
But before we say to ourselves, “Well, that was the great St. Paul and I could never do that.” Let’s read a bit further: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Do you see that?! Paul couldn’t do it on his own either!! He understood that his contentment in life – even in prison – came because Jesus Christ enabled him to deal with it.
So the next time life gives you a bad turn or the next time you find yourself complaining… seek to be content. Try to find the reality of the situation you are in – that God is doing something for a bigger purpose than yourself and He will get you through it. Learn to be content.
Socrates is credited with saying: “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”
Why? Because it’s hot everywhere in July.
Christ Fellowship
www.christfellowship.church
561-799-7600
