Encouragement – Page 5 – the lovely unexpected

as of late . . .

As of late, sometimes I find myself wrestling with those 6 words nestled in 1 Timothy 6:6.

Contentment is defined as “a mind contented or satisfied with its lot.”

This tells me that contentment has nothing to do with what we have and everything to do with our perspective, our mind, and our focus. The Bible has ssoooo much to say about our minds (Isaiah 26:3), the importance of renewing our minds in God’s Word (Romans 12:2), and focusing our minds on things of the Spirit (Romans 8:6).

I also love that definition because sometimes I find myself wondering what the “big picture” of my life will look like. Have you ever stayed up at night wondering that? Or my mind will fill with the kind of thoughts that only lead to emptiness and feelings of insufficiency: Am I enough? Am I doing enough? What should I do next? Have I done enough?

Sometimes I stay up wishing I could just have the “big questions” answered…the questions like: will _____ ever happen? when will _____ happen? because, if I had the answers, then I wouldn’t have to worry anymore, right? (Except I don’t think it really works like that. If I knew those answers it would probably cause more problems than it would solve…but that’s another topic.)

1 Timothy 6:6 always comes to my memory when I find myself wondering about these things. Like a rush, God’s Word stills my mind and quiets my heart: “godliness with contentment, is great gain.” And I am reminded to be content with my lot: to appreciate where I am, what’s in front of me, where my feet are, and the people I have around me and to let go of the unknowns — like the questions that lead me to ponder about the timeline of my life. I am reminded to trade my worry for trust — because there’s more to be gained through trusting than through knowing.

In the midst of the questions I always come back to:
godliness with contentment is great gain.

great gain: isn’t that what the world tells us it’s all about?
Isn’t that what we all feel like we should be chasing?
great. gain. ?

But the Bible says that great gain in God’s eyes looks nothing like the great gain we think we should be pursuing.

The gain that the world is chasing is self-focused and self-centered: all about my worth, my value, my success, and my plan. Contentment is often despised and replaced with comparison and covetousness. Think about it, if someone were to ask me: “How would you describe this season of life?” and I respond with: “content” I fear that word may be misunderstood as being unmotivated, complacent, directionless, or unambitious. Because too often we want something significant or flashy to show for our years lived.

But, with one verse, Jesus takes away all the expectations I’ve placed on myself and reminds me that it all boils down to:
godliness.
and
contentment.

What FREEDOM those 2 words bring!! When I’m focused on godliness then my eyes are off myself and as I pursue contentment then I am no longer concerned or worried with where I’ll be in the future or what my life will look like; I am simply resting and trusting God. Matthew 6:34 says:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

We will never be content today as long as we are worrying about tomorrow.
Philippians 4:6 says: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Instead of using my energy to worry, I can pour my energy into prayer.

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength
carrying two days at once.
It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.
Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow,
it empties today of its strength.”
-Corrie Ten Boom

Only a few lines down in verse 11 of Philippians 4 Paul writes: “I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.”

That tells me that contentment has to be learned! It’s a continual learning process because circumstances are continually changing. Whenever a new circumstance comes sometimes it’s like I have to start back at the beginning and learn contentment all over again, which can cause me to think: “I thought I learned this already?! Why does it feel like I’m back at square one?!”

But I think that is why godliness and contentment is such great gain.
Because it is something that we can carry into each and every season of life.

The world cannot take it away.
People cannot take it away.
Circumstances cannot take it away.
When your contentment comes from Christ, it is immovable and unshakable.

I’m so thankful that He takes all that I’m concerned with and simplifies it into two words: godliness and contentment.
So. simple.
And as long as I’m focused on those two things,
the rest that I’m concerned with will fall into place in God’s timing.

I want to esteem and pursue what He views as most important, not what I desire or want to accomplish in my life.

“Contentment has an internal quietness of heart
that gladly submits to God in all circumstances.”
– Joni Eareckson Tada

Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Romans 12:2 “be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 8:6 “to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength; carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom

yet I will praise.

“Yet I will praise….“

This declaration makes me think of how Job worshipped after losing everything.
In Job 1:21 he proclaims:

“The Lord gave & the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job’s words teach me that worship is not an emotion or feeling, but it is more a choice: a decision to trust, bless, and worship God and proclaim His faithfulness when nothing makes sense and you have more questions than answers.

2020 has been quite a year. . . with so much chaos in the world it’s easy to get caught up in the confusion and allow the cares of this life to rob us of the peace we have in Jesus. (Philippians 4:5b-7 “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“)

It’s important, now more than ever before, that we keep our hearts and minds rooted in God’s love and in His Word. I think James says it perfectly in James 5:8 when he encouraged believers: “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” This means that it’s easy for our hearts to be carried away, but we are instructed to establish our hearts on the firm foundation of Jesus.

For me, trust in God is one of the first things that is shaken when troublesome times come. The enemy will always try to rob us of our confidence in Christ and cause us to question His character and faithfulness. When I relinquish my trust it allows fear, anxiety, worry, and doubt to invade my heart and mind. It has been that way since the beginning of time ― in the garden, the serpent caused Eve to question God’s Word and made her think that God was not trustworthy when he said: “Has God surely said???” (Genesis 3:1) The serpent caused Eve to doubt God’s Word and tempted her to trust in herself instead of God.

When I find myself struggling to trust God I always find encouragement in reading and meditating on His Word and in reading the words of other believers who have testimonies of trusting in the Lord’s goodness in the midst of trials.

Those who have proclaimed, in the middle of the storm: “yet I will praise.”

In times like these, may we be those that are meditating on God’s Word, trusting in Him, and allowing Him to establish our hearts.

Below are some of my favorite quotes and verses to read in times of discouragement, worry, or doubt. I pray they remind you of how faithful, good, and trustworthy our Lord is ― He is worthy of our confidence, faith, and trust. May we resolve to worship and trust Jesus, whatever may come.

"Never be afraid
 to trust an unknown future
 to a known God."
― Corrie Ten Boom

“I would sooner walk in the dark
 and hold hard to a promise of my God, 
 than trust in the light
 of the brightest day
 that ever dawned.
 To trust God in the light is nothing,
 but to trust Him in the dark - that is faith."
― Charles Spurgeon

"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark,
 you don't throw away the ticket and jump off.
 You sit still and trust the engineer."
― Corrie Ten Boom

"When I try, I fail. 
 When I trust, He succeeds."
― Corrie Ten Boom

But I trust in Your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in Your salvation.
Psalm 13:5

In You, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
Psalm 25:1

But I trust in You,
Lord; I say,
“You are my God.”
Psalm 31:14

When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3

I will say of the Lord,
“He is my refuge & my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2

You who fear Him,
trust in the Lord—
He is their help & shield.
Psalm 115:11

Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord.
Proverbs 16:20b

Stop trusting in mere humans,
who have but a breath in their nostrils.
Why hold them in esteem?
Isaiah 2:22

In that day they will say,
“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in Him,
and He saved us.
This is the Lord,
we trusted in Him;
let us rejoice
& be glad in His salvation.”
Isaiah 25:9

This is what the Sovereign Lord,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance & rest
is your salvation,
in quietness & trust
is your strength“
Isaiah 30:15

The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in Him.
Nahum 1:7

But blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in Him.
Jeremiah 17:7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
& lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Those who know Your Name
trust in You, for You, Lord,
have never forsaken
those who seek You.
Psalm 9:10

Some trust in chariots
and some in horses,
but we trust in the name
of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7

The Lord is my Strength & my Shield;
my heart trusts in Him,
& He helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise Him.
Psalm 28:7

In God, whose word I praise
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:4

They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast,
trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112:7

Let the morning bring me word
of Your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in You.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8

Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord Himself,
is my strength & my defense;
He has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,
because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3

Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord Himself,
is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:4

May the God of hope fill you with all
joy & peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow
with hope by the power
of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

sustaining strength

“Cast your burden on the Lord,
& He will sustain you.”
Psalm 55:22a

With all that is happening in our nation and in the hearts of people I’ve struggled with finding the words to describe this season and how my soul has felt. As I pray I’ve frequently found myself at a loss for words…there’s so much that needs prayer but all that seems to come out is: “Oh Jesus, we need You. Only You.” There’s a soul ache and heaviness that I haven’t known exactly how to process.

So as I was reading Psalm 55 and asking Jesus to help me surrender what is beyond my comprehension the word BURDEN is verse 22 stood out to me.

“That’s it. That’s what I haven’t been able to find the word for — burdened.”

So I had to examine my heart and ask: am I choosing to carry a burden that Jesus has commanded me to surrender to Him?

When faced with a burden, I have a choice: either to carry it myself and rely on my own strength OR I can choose to cast my burden on Jesus and allow HIM to carry it. And when He carries it, He also sustains me.

In order for the LORD to sustain me, I MUST cast my burden onto Him.

So I must ask the question: If I’m not casting my burden onto Jesus, then what is sustaining me?

The word sustain comes from sustenance; and when I think of sustenance I think of something that is necessary for my survival, I think of a place where I go for provision, rest, nourishment, strength, encouragement, endurance, perseverance…without sustenance I would not be able to continue because I would no longer have what is necessary.

The Hebrew definition of sustain is to contain, maintain, support, hold in, and restrain. I love the imagery that description brings. Because while the enemy seeks to destroy, unravel, rob, and divide us; Jesus is the one holding us, keeping us, and sustaining us.

So I ask myself: what am I relying on for sustenance?
Myself? My strength, ability, resources & energy? Or God’s?

I want to allow the One who created me, the One who knows my needs before I do, to sustain me. He is the only One who can sustain me:

When I don’t have the answers.
When it doesn’t make sense.
When I don’t understand.
When it’s overwhelming.
When it seems hopeless.
When the weight is crushing.

I’m so grateful that He’s not surprised or overwhelmed by my burdens.

Instead, He WANTS them.

If the weight of the burden you’re carrying feels like it’s gonna crush you, cast it onto the shoulders of your Almighty Heavenly Father. You were never designed to carry the weigh of it anyway.

God knew we would be burdened so He gave us verses like Psalms 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7 says: “casting all your care [worry/anxiety] upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Jesus cares for you like no one else in the world ever will.

Don’t avoid the burden or act like you can carry it! Cast it on Him!

When I’m burdened with something I frequently have to cast it on the Lord multiple times, because too often, I pick it back up… but the word “cast” means throw, hurl, or fling. It’s not a half-hearted, light, nonchalant “toss” it’s an utterly COMPLETE & TOTAL SURRENDER with no hope of retrieval…

We can attempt to avoid the burden and the consequent exhaustion that carrying it brings… but it’s there, sooner or later you’re going to have to face it.

And then, once you face it, you will have to determine: am I going to keep carrying this and acting like I’m “strong enough” or am I going to cast it onto the Lord?

For a long time I thought of this word “casting” as an avoidance, an “easy way out,” or an “escape” of what was burdening me. But as I’ve asked Jesus (and continue to ask Him) how to cast my burdens onto Him I’m learning that casting my burden is a choice to surrender what is beyond my comprehension and control. When I cast the burden on Him it allows me to not crumble under the weight of what I cannot control so He can sustain me for what He has called me to.

The burden doesn’t change but WHO’S carrying it does. It doesn’t mean that I neglect the burden as if it doesn’t exist or excuse it, but I realize that ultimately God is the only one strong enough to carry it. I cannot hold it up myself.

And, once I grasp that, I am free to walk in His sustaining strength.

strength for all things.

"I can do all things 
through Christ 
who strengthens me." 
Phil 4:13

We’ve all heard that verse a million times right?? People frequently use it to find motivation & inspiration: to do something hard or start something scary. It’s a “nice verse” to put on a T-shirt or coffee mug.

We all want “strength” for “all things” right?!? Who wouldn’t?!

But when I read this verse in context it gives a very different picture than my usual understanding of this verse… in the verses prior Paul says:

"I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
I know how to be brought low & I know how to abound.
In any & every circumstance,
I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger,
abundance & need."
Phil 4:11b-12

So wait a minute… Paul is talking about being CONTENT in all circumstances:

Content in humiliation.

Content in hunger.

Content in need.

And he completes this thought by saying “I CAN do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me.”

As I look at the life Paul it was NOT one of ease or comfort. Just read 2 Corinthians 11:23-31 for an overview of the sufferings he faced which include imprisonment, beatings, stoned, shipwrecked…and the list goes on!

As I look at Paul’s life it was defined by surrender, strength in the Lord & a deep contentment with God’s will for his life. And when I examine my own heart it causes me to ask the Lord to give me strength to rest & trust in Him amidst difficulty and suffering. I see that it’s ssooo easy for me to rely on my own strength for things that I want to do or even to do good things; like ministry! I can muster up strength to push through & persevere through many things, even while under the pretense of doing it “in the Lord’s strength,” but one of the greatest tests as to whether or not I’m relying on the Lord’s strength is when something unexpected happens. . . something that is beyond my control and far out of my ability to change. In moments of stress or frustration the Lord reveals who I’m really relying on: myself or Him.

That is why suffering plays such a necessary role in the life of the believer: Jesus never promised to spare us from suffering, but He has given us His Holy Spirit to TRANSFORM us THRU suffering. Have you realized that those in the Bible who God mightily worked through always endured great affliction? It’s because Jesus purifies & refines us in trials. Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 4:16-17: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…”

We know life is frail and that everything that is on this earth is delicate and temporal but it’s also easy to live like we’ve forgotten that. . . sometimes it takes a crisis, or a pandemic, for us to remember & refocus. To realize that I’ve never had any strength and that any power I think I had was really only an illusion, I had deceived myself into believing I was in control. The reality of the gospel is that it reveals the selfishness & rebellion in my heart and brings me to the feet of Jesus where He changes my heart.

When we read that God gives us strength for all things we want to tell God what we want strength for: to get the promotion, to earn the achievement, to receive the award . . . you know, we want to have the strength to do things that are “glamorous” or “show-y.” I’m pretty much saying that I want the strength to do the things that I want so that in the end I can proclaim, “I did this through Christ’s strength! Pretty amazing huh?!”

But Paul talking about BEING CONTENT in all things: including humiliation, hunger, and need.

Woah.

But that doesn’t make me look strong or impressive, in fact, that goes against the false “gospel” that says Jesus wants you to be successful, rich, and prosperous.

But what if the desire of Jesus’ heart is for you to walk through a season of something you’d never have chosen for yourself?
What if that’s how He wants to demonstrate His strength in you?

What if He’s asking you to go thru something you know is impossible because then ONLY HE will get the glory? If Jesus is truly my Lord and Savior that means He gets to decide how I will give Him glory. The walk of faith is one of worshipping God amidst the ash, before the beauty. Much like Job, in the middle of despair and grief declared: “The Lord gives & the Lord takes away: blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Jesus wants to create in us a heart that will surrender, worship, & glorify Him in all circumstances. He's looking for a vessel that's empty of itself so He can fill a heart that declares: "Lord, I want to give You glory in what You have prepared for me."

I don’t want to look back on my life one day and realize that I spent all my effort trying to stay strong while all along Jesus was trying to show me my own weakness so He could be my strength.

If Jesus faced humiliation, hunger, & need how do I expect to be spared from those things? Luke 9:58 say that Jesus had “no place to lay His head” and when we pray: “Jesus, I want to be more like You” we’d rather bypass the suffering, pain & sorrow.
But the fact is that Jesus promises tribulation in John 16:33! He says: “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

It’s easy for the world to have happiness, peace, & joy when everything seems care-free & easy, but the moment things go off the rails their happiness is also gone. Jesus has given us His Holy Spirit to give us the FRUIT of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) AMIDST trial & suffering. He does the impossible in us because when we’re at our weakest we can rejoice that He is our strength. We, like Paul, can say: “I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me…I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

“God is our refuge & strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth gives way…”
-Psalm 46:1-2