I am sure that I don't know a single person that doesn't struggle with this at least some of the time. It is one of those things in life that if not kept in check, runs away with our heart's affections and mental attitude. Isn't it interesting how when we are asked to speak about, teach about or counsel on a particular subject, it is often the very area that we need to grow in!! That is where I found myself this week. I was presented with a particular problem by someone I am discipling. I do have a strong opinion (of course) on their situation, and I would really like to step in and take matters into my own hands; however, as I prayed for them; prayed for the situation; prayed for
what I should say; prayed for how I should proceed...the Father asked me one thing, "What do you think I want to be the lasting lesson in this?" WOW....the lasting lesson. To "solve" the problem would not really be lasting. There would be other similar things that would quickly come along. Life is just like that....one thing after another... The only thing that is constant is God. Being content with our situation is always hard. In the waiting process sometimes we think we are going to waste away. However, God uses the processes of making us wait and helping us find satisfaction as tools
to grow us into His likeness. They are tools that sharpen us and mold us for service to Him. If we always want something, whether it be an item of some sort or a change, when will we ever be truly satisfied? Satisfaction only comes when we decide to have thankful hearts that praise Him in all situations at all times. We have a friend that is in prison. Matt took his wife, children, sister and mother to visit him this week. I am ashamed to say that the report I was expecting to get was of how hard it is for him, how he is struggling, etc. Instead, the report that came was one of praise to
the Lord for His goodness. He gave Matt a beaded pen holder covered in crosses that he had made. He is boldly sharing his faith in everything he is doing; and in faith walking with a thankful heart in his difficult circumstance. WOW....that is the lasting lesson!! What will I choose today - thankfulness & contentment? AT
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;....Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Corin. 4:8-9; 16-18
I am sure that I don't know a single person that doesn't struggle with this at least some of the time. It is one of those things in life that if not kept in check, runs away with our heart's affections and mental attitude. Isn't it interesting how when we are asked to speak about, teach about or counsel on a particular subject, it is often the very area that we need to grow in!! That is where I found myself this week. I was presented with a particular problem by someone I am discipling. I do have a strong opinion (of course) on their situation, and I would really like to step in and take matters into my own hands; however, as I prayed for them; prayed for the situation; prayed for 
what I should say; prayed for how I should proceed...the Father asked me one thing, "What do you think I want to be the lasting lesson in this?" WOW....the lasting lesson. To "solve" the problem would not really be lasting. There would be other similar things that would quickly come along. Life is just like that....one thing after another... The only thing that is constant is God. Being content with our situation is always hard. In the waiting process sometimes we think we are going to waste away. However, God uses the processes of making us wait and helping us find satisfaction as tools 
to grow us into His likeness. They are tools that sharpen us and mold us for service to Him. If we always want something, whether it be an item of some sort or a change, when will we ever be truly satisfied? Satisfaction only comes when we decide to have thankful hearts that praise Him in all situations at all times. We have a friend that is in prison. Matt took his wife, children, sister and mother to visit him this week. I am ashamed to say that the report I was expecting to get was of how hard it is for him, how he is struggling, etc. Instead, the report that came was one of praise to 
the Lord for His goodness. He gave Matt a beaded pen holder covered in crosses that he had made. He is boldly sharing his faith in everything he is doing; and in faith walking with a thankful heart in his difficult circumstance. WOW....that is the lasting lesson!! What will I choose today - thankfulness & contentment? AT "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;....Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." II Corin. 4:8-9; 16-18
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