It's no secret that life isn't always lollipops and rainbows for us all. I know it sure hasn't been for me. There are seasons of life that seriously just kick us in the butt if we're being honest. But, there is also seasons of life that are completely incredible, everything is going just right and nothing could bring you down and then there is also those mundane seasons of life where nothing exciting is happening but nothing really bad is going on either. So, how do we react to these seasons? I feel like most of you could relate if I said that during good seasons we embrace life and feel pretty joyful because life is just going pretty close to perfect. I bet you can also relate if I said that during bad seasons of life and even in mundane seasons of life we wish it away. We wish for better days, more exciting days. We focus more on what's to come in the future instead of embracing our current season like we would do if it were what we consider to be a good season. You might be wondering how it is possible at all to embrace these plain awful, tough, and painful seasons life throws at you. There's a secret to it though, so I'm gonna let all of you in on it.
First, you have to look at all seasons of life for what they are. Just that, seasons. A season does not last forever. So the bad seasons will come to an end. The mundane seasons will come to an end. And, unfortunately, those good seasons will come to an end too. Life is a roller-coaster which is why it is so important to embrace each day for what it is and not wish for a better tomorrow. Don't miss out on the blessings and lessons this day will bring to you by overlooking it and living in the future that isn't promised. So, where do we find the strength to embrace all days whether they be good, bad or mundane? Here is the big secret I was telling you about.
I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with the bible verse Philippians 4:13 that says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And well, that's the secret friends! Let me give you a little more context. So, Paul is in prison when he is writing this thank you letter to The Philippian church. The church had sent him a financial gift, so he wanted to thank them, but while thanking them he also wanted to let them know that even before their gift arrived he was still content with the season of life he was in even though it was not ideal. In this letter is where Paul revealed the secret of being content in every season. In Philippians 4:11-12 Paul writes in the letter, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living plenty or in want." Which leads into Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Which is the big secret!
The secret to having contentment and being joyful and embracing life in every season is Christ in you. Christ provides joy. Christ provides peace. Christ equips you. Christ casts out fears. Christ gives you strength. Christ sets you free. Christ satisfies what earthly things won't. Christ gives you new life. It is only through Christ that you can find joy in the trials and peace in the chaos and feel loved in your darkness. You're never too far gone and your life is never too far gone for Christ to save you. He wants to live in you and have a relationship with you. There are no lost causes in the Kingdom. So, the secret is out friends. Let's live into this and approach each day expectant and joyful and embrace them all no matter what they bring!
Sheetal Tadiparty
Flickr Creative Commons
