Contentment is a rare bird, but it sings sweetly in the breast. ~ Martin Luther

“Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I keep your word…It is good for me that I was afflicted that I might learn your statutes.” Psalm119:67 and 119:71.

Is it possible to have contentment in life regardless of your circumstance?

Job was stripped of everything that was of any importance to him: His family, possessions, seemingly taken in an instant. His wife was not much help, encouraging him to curse God and get it over with. His friends were not necessarily the neighborhood welcoming committee. Listening to them hour after hour would depress anyone and make you want to give up.

But Job didn’t do any of that. He continued to hang on to his faith in spite of his circumstances, even in the middle of intense personal pain and suffering.

How did he do it? How did Joseph do it?

There are few people in the Bible that had worse luck than Joseph.

• Favorite of his father; despised by his brothers.
• Sold into slavery; reported as dead.
• Taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.
• Gains favor in Potiphar’s house only to have Potiphar’s wife attempt to seduce him.
• Interprets dreams for baker and butler only to be forgotten.

He is finally remembered for his special dream interpreting skills and gets a spot in front of Potiphar and then goes on to be second in command in Egypt.

When Joseph is reunited with his repentant brothers he assures them it isn’t entirely their fault: “But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:19-21.

Joseph would never have risen to the top without first overcoming the obstacles that were put in his way.

He learned, he grew, and he gained knowledge from his difficulties that would help him when he finally got to where God intended him to be: a leader of leaders.

Remember the TV show Happy Days? Richie Cunningham had been grounded for life by his father for disobeying. Being the fatherly adviser that he was, Richie’s dad, Howard, asked, “Did you know that there is a lesson in this for you?’ Richie replied, “I figured anything with this much pain had to have a lesson in it somewhere.”

Yes, Richie, there is a plan in the hardships of life. And even if God doesn’t put these things upon us, He can turn them around for our good!

Does that apply to physical pain and suffering? Can it be for our good? How is that possible?

Our infirmities, and especially our weaknesses, will cause us to look to God, rely on Him and help us to achieve His purpose.

When we are desperate for Him, when we have nowhere else to turn, our sickness, illness and infirmities will cause us to search the Word for answers. There, in that secret place of prayer and devotion, the Holy Spirit helps us to know the will of God!

Joseph and Job both left us examples to follow. When they were at their lowest, lost everything that meant anything to them, afflicted physically, suffering intense pain and even imprisonment, they looked up. They could have done as Job’s wife suggested, “Curse God and die!” But neither one of them chose that path and instead left us with Godly wisdom for the ages. Job even responded to his wife and said, “‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all of this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:9-10.

When Job learned that all of his children had just been killed?  “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped.” Job 1:20.

He went to the Source, the Creator of life. He knew where his strength would come from and eternal hope abided!

Is your pain too great to bear? Are you struggling with what you have been dealt with today? Are family situations, relationships, work difficulties causing you heartache? Is chronic pain, fatigue, fibromyalgia, cancer, MS, MD, (Insert pain here_________) weighing down your faith?

They are all very real to you, friend they are very real to God.

God sees it all. He also sees down the road and knows that you will be stronger, wiser and able to help others when you overcome your own adversity. The best part? He is with you. Always. He never leaves us in our weaknesses, He walks beside us, carries us if necessary. He gives strength for each new day, so try not to rush through, be patient, depend on the Word and meet Him in prayer every day. There you will find your sustenance; enough for each 24 hour period.

Call on Him throughout your day! He will show up!! He is alive IN you, the Comforter was sent just for that purpose.

Use the following scriptures to encourage yourself in the Lord as you process through your pain with prayer and the Word!

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end..” Jeremiah 29:11.

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  Corinthians 10:13.

“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17.

Sharing with Wedded Wednesday, A little R & R