Today’s reading: Philippians 4:10-13
As soon as I woke up this morning, Paul’s words about being content as he was sitting in prison filled my mind. Why? Because the way our current world situation with COVID-19 is impacting us personally—quarantining, social distancing, job loss, uncertainty, not having control of many areas of our lives—is somewhat similar to what Paul was likely experiencing sitting in prison. And yet in the middle of his difficult, unpleasant, and unwanted circumstance, Paul was able to confidently write:
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Two times in these three verses Paul uses the word “learned” concerning being content. And God kept bringing the word “learn” to my mind as I considered this passage. I felt like God was saying to me, “I love you and am right beside you. I know you’re not enjoying this experience, but through this difficult time I will sustain you and teach you even more about me.”
So the question for each of us to ask ourselves today is, what is God showing or teaching me through this different and difficult season of the coronavirus?
I spent a bit of time wrestling with this question, and here’s where I landed. There are a number of things God is showing me (and I am learning) through this time. But the predominant thing right now is that I have to be submitted to and at peace with God’s timing. This is something I struggle with, and it’s a recurring lesson for me. I am a doer. I’m always busy and on the go, so being forced to stay at home and put my new full-time baking business on hold feels unnatural and frustrating to me. Although it took me a couple of weeks to finally get to this point, this past weekend I realized that my conversations with God were sounding different (in a good way). After praying for other people, the focus of my prayers were all about recognizing how everything I have is a gift from God. Until this period of quarantining passes and I sense His leading to start moving forward again, I will be content exactly where I’m at.
Okay, it’s your turn. What is God showing or teaching you through this different and difficult season of the coronavirus? Tami
Source: Tami’s Blog
