THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, February 3, 2023

Lord, reading Philippians 4, I’m reminded of a story about my folks. One Sunday morning in church, the air conditioner had turned the sanctuary into a meat locker. People were shaking with cold, and my shivering mom complained to dad how cold she was. “You’ll be okay. It’s not that cold,” he said dismissively. Mom grew a little testy with my pastor dad and snapped, “I suppose you have a Scripture for this too!” Without missing a beat, dad said, “Philippians 4:11, I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I find myself.” Needless to say, dad later experienced a new kind of coldness.

The Apostle Paul had many ups and downs in his ministerial life. He preached to crowds that welcomed him, as well as crowds that tried to stone him. There were times of abundance and times when his next meal was in doubt. He slept in warm, comfortable beds and on the cold, hard ground. Paul’s writings in 2 Corinthians 4 details how the evangelist life was no picnic, yet rewarding in ways that made all the trials worth it. Christ followers down through the centuries have found comfort in Paul’s words:

“For I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength,” —Philippians 4:11-13

Lord, help me daily live Philippians 4 in my life. You give me strength and grace to do all You have called me to do. You and me, Jesus. Amen.