I feel like this is our extended New Years Eve,
So I will just say it
Happy New Year!
Here is to life, and to being real about it all!
We made it back home from our annual trip to Cold Bay, Alaska It’s really a blessing, and I’m so thankful that we have the ability to go to this place every year and do what we do! I hope that everyone has a place that they can go, to take a little break, change pace, think, reflect, and most importantly be in nature, take part in God’s creation, which is really amazing!
Have you ever felt like you just wanted a break to change your pace?
The Holidays are coming up,
And the real new year is coming up as well,
How many of us are actually thinking about our New Years resolutions (maybe, not yet, too early, I know)
We gotta get through those indulgent holidays first, I know!
Your probably wondering where I’m going with these thoughts, well so am I,
When I started this blog I wrote that this was my way of reflection, decompressing my thoughts, so I’m actually just writing what is in my head right now, as I sit on another plane, heading to another place, another break from reality I guess you can call it!
Not because I dislike my reality, I actually really love my life, but this hasn’t always been true for me…I have surely had my struggles, and by no means do I have the perfect life.
But let me share something with you,We all know what Phillipians 4:13 says,
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13 KJV
We read this and we are empowered, aren’t we,
ALL THINGS!
CHRIST,
WHO STRENGTHENS US!
Really amazing to think about isn’t it?
I strongly believe that Christ does strengthen us, and that he can help us overcome SO MUCH!
But in context this actually is talking about lifestyle, and being content no matter what because we have CHRIST, and no matter what, he has got our back, whether we are in the storms of life, or full of joy, whether we are rich or poor, hurting or happy.
Philippians 4:4-14
Rejoice in the Lord always:
Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
Which surpasses all comprehension,
Shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brethren,
Whatever is true,
Whatever is honorable,
Whatever is right,
Whatever is pure,
Whatever is lovely,
Whatever is of good repute,
If there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise,
Let your mind dwell on these things.
The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
Practice these things;
And the God of peace shall be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly,
That now at last you have revived your concern for me;
Indeed you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak from want;
For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;
In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both having abundance and suffering need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Nevertheless you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
Philippians 4:4-14
So as I sit here in flight, reflecting, thankful, and rejoicing in the blessings that God has given me, I am also so very thankful for the struggles as well because they have taught me so much, they have helped me grow,
Those reality breaks, they don’t have to wait until the New Year, or the trip, sometimes we just need to stop breathe, and think, what am I doing and why am I hurting, and give in to Gods Guidance, and Christ’s strength.
PAUSE,
You are never too far gone for God to work with you,
Content in all circumstances means that, whether life is going great, or life is difficult you have the Creator on your side wanting to help fix you!
And sometimes it hurts, sometimes it’s hard, but it’s only because he knows how much you deserve, and he wants to give you more! But sometimes we get so stubborn in our ways thinking life can’t get better and we shouldn’t feel content regardless of the circumstances, when it’s good we feel guilty, when it’s hard we feel hopeless, and we feel like we need to have all the answers rather than just trust the process!
So with all that being said,
I get stubborn too,
I think life is something I need to handle all on my own,
I think well I’m already this far in, I can’t stop now, I can’t turn around….
That’s why I say take a break to look at your life, where is the first place you take your computer when it’s broken, well I’m sure if you knew the designer personally you would take it straight to him, but most likely your either gonna read the manual it came with, or your gonna take it to someone who has, and has studied it and knows how to fix it.
We are not computers but we have a designer a Creator, we also have a manual (Gods word, the Bible) and we also have people who have put in the time and effort to read and work on themselves through that manual, and speaking from experience myself, I know it works!
I’m learning to be less stubborn in my ways, and more dependent on God, more trusting of Him, and content in every circumstance, because it is true that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then ye are my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:31-32 KJV
His work always leaves me so in Awe!!
“Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
Psalms 46:8-11 KJV
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
Psalms 62:5-8 KJV
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:12 KJV
“And He *said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [ But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” ]”
Matthew 17:20-21 NASB
“Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they launched out. But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?””
Luke 8:22-25 NASB
“Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.””
John 16:22, 33 NASB
As always if there was ever anything that you could get from taking the time to read my blog my prayer for this always is that you would take the time to desire the Truth in your life, we are are capable of being stronger than we think, which is exactly why Christ came to die for us, I pray you would find a Bible and read it and learn about that! And the love that He has for us!
May God bless you and you be able to find what it means to be content in all circumstances! And what it means to be able to do all things through Christ who strengthens you ❤️
With love,
Beverly
