Warrior Truth: “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble” Proverbs 19 v 23 (NIV)
I’ve been a little under the weather this last week and after a rather strong suggestion from my husband last week, knocked off work just after midday on Friday and made my way from my home office to the bedroom to rest up. Most of my weekend was spent taking it easy and self-medicating. Come Monday morning, I did feel a little better but the nagging symptoms persisted. I wrestled with what my next step should be as the simple task of heading out to seek medical attention had got a whole lot more complicated with the realities of a COVID-19 world.
I wrestled with God too – exercising my gift of faith and speaking his promises of health to my body and hoping quite desperately to wake up free and clear. After all, it really wasn’t a life-threatening condition. As I spent some time with God this morning, still feeling the same way, I asked a simple question – why is my faith not strong enough when I do believe You can do this? This naturally led to another one. What else was my faith not strong enough for? I remembered the story of the father who had come to the disciples and Jesus to make his son whole. I found myself asking the same thing that father did “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9 v 24).
As I delved into my morning bible study, the words of Paul in Philippians 4 v 11-13 jumped off the page at me – “for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances … I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” There was my answer to the prayer that had left my lips just minutes before. I realised, unlike Paul, I have not yet learned to be content. In some areas, yes, but in those that trouble me the most, certainly not. The good news is discontent does not cancel out faith – by no means – but it does slow it down. Discontent is me running off on my own tangent thinking I am helping but all I am really doing is trying to do it in my own strength. And missing every moment that God wants to share His provision with me.
Warrior Tool: In realising my faith was being forced to fight with one hand being held behind its back, I let go this morning. I had to let go to pick up a new warrior tool – being content! And going into my day with that tool in my hand, I have felt a greater sense of peace through the day. The things that have been troubling me do not seem quite as insurmountable, or quite as desperate. It is a new tool so it’s going to take some getting used to but I know that the more I use it the better I will get and the more powerful it will be in my life.
Prayer: Mighty God, thank you that you do not expect us to face or fight the troubles of this life and this world unprepared, unarmed and alone. Thank you that we can confidently look to you to provide for our every need and even to make a way where there seems to be no way. Thank you that when we look for it, we can see your provision in every area of our lives. Yes Lord, we believe. Help us on the days that our unbelief and discontent cloud our vision. Help us live each day content in the knowledge that you are able and willing to supply all our needs. Amen
With God, For His Glory