For most of my life, my family moved. A lot. I’ve lost count of how many times but I can still recite most of the addresses and a few of the phone numbers. The summer I turned sixteen, my family made a major move. We lived in a rural area of central Pennsylvania.
My father wanted to finish Bible college to get his degree to pastor. After months of prayer, God led him to a Bible college in northeast Texas. Yes, you read that correctly. We moved from Pennsylvania to Texas.
If there can be more polar opposites than those two places and still be in the United States, I haven’t seen them yet. Until we moved to Texas, I thought I was an American. Folks there quickly set me straight and told me I’m a Yankee. Who knew?
There were so many differences in lifestyle. It took us a long time to adjust. One of the verses I kept quoting to my family was Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” I always added, “Whether it be the state of Pennsylvania or the state of Texas!”
I am sure that God did not intend for that to mean it the way I was using it. But it does apply. Our peace and contentment should not be based on our geographic location or any other external situation.
When Paul penned this verse, he was in a prison in Philippi. Obviously he didn’t base his state of mind on his surroundings. God expects us to lean fully on Him for our peace. When we do, it won’t matter what season of life we are living or where we live. We will always be content.
Memory Verse:
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
– Philippians 4:11 (KJV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Father, help us to always rely on You for our inner peace, not the circumstances around us. Grant us true contentment as we live our lives in You, especially during…”
Contributing Writer:
Christine Long
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