Have you hit a rough patch on your road to joy? Show godliness with contentment in every situation.

Scripture Reading — 1 Timothy 6:6-10

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether … in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12

Traveling is great while the road is smooth and we are making good time. But what if the road desperately needs repaving? Our speed slows as we shudder and jerk over bumps and try to swerve around huge potholes.

Sometimes, similarly, our life journey is smooth and easy. We enjoy good health, have good jobs, our loans are paid off, and our children and grandchildren are doing well. But then we may hit a rough patch—a serious health ailment, a layoff at our workplace, or a looming debt crisis. In all of these conditions, the devil can be very active.

The apostle Paul knew times of plenty and times of need. He reminds us that when things are going well, we often want more and we forget the One who gives these blessings. The secret to having plenty is to develop “godliness with contentment.” We are to be humbly grateful for all the Lord’s blessings and seek to share these with others.

We are also to show this godliness when things are not going well. Paul writes, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). In other words, during those tough times when we could become embittered, we still need to display Christ’s love, joy, and peace. Indeed, God desires, and Jesus enables us, through his Spirit, to be godly in any and all journey conditions.

Prayer

Teach and empower us, Lord, to be content no matter what the situation. Give us the strength to show your love, compassion, mercy, and joy always. Amen.

Written by: Gerrit Bomhof