Saturday, September 26, 2015

Christ is my strength for every situation


This year my husband and I have the opportunity to coach our 5th grade granddaughter’s volleyball team.  Curt is the head coach and I am his assistant.  It is wonderful to see these girls learning to play volleyball and how to work together as a team. 

The hard part for me is; I see them growing and increasing in their skills, and yet they are not winning games.  The mom in me, as well as the competitor in me, wants to see them win some games.  I want them to feel the success of winning, as well as being good sports when they lose.

I woke up this morning, thinking about last night’s game, and the realization came to me that Christ is as much in the losing, as the winning.  The scripture came to my mind, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. “

The apostle Paul said in his letter to the believers in Philippi:
“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

 Paul learned the secret of contentment in his time of need and lack, as well as his time of abundance; it was to depend on Christ to give him strength, in every situation.  I realized that I needed to learn this, as well as the girl’s on our volleyball team. 

It is easy to feel contentment when we succeed and are doing well in life.  It is when the struggles come that we learn whether our contentment is based on our situation, or is it based on our faith in Christ?  Do we trust that God is in all of our circumstances? Do we perceive the difficulties we face as opportunities to spiritually mature and grow in faith, or do we feel like giving up?

If you are in the midst of trials; ask the Lord to give you strength to face them, as well as to teach you contentment in Him.  Allow the Lord to build your spiritual endurance and a heart of gratitude.  If you feel that all is going well today; praise God and ask Him to give you the strength to gracefully receive and enjoy it. 

(Lord Jesus, whatever our situation, easy or tough; give us strength to accept them gracefully and teach us how to be grateful and content in you.  Amen)

Triss Curtis copyright September 2015

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