May 24
Today’s Truth
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV).
Friend to Friend
I hate taking showers.
I know, that’s not something I should admit in polite company. Let me explain…
I love to get up in the morning and curl up next to the fire with a cup of coffee and my Bible, our dog Moose beside me. It’s the perfect way to go from cozy bed to cozy couch, with the addition of caffeine and canine company.
But when it’s time to shower, everything else must be put into action: go get the clothes, take the shower, get dressed, do my hair and makeup, make breakfast, and finally sit at my desk. The shower signifies a shift to the less cozy part of my day. Admittedly, it’s a small thing, but it’s still a thing.
This winter, a storm knocked out power for fourteen days. We have a generator, but our propane company had delayed delivery. With an eighteen percent-full tank, we could only run the generator a few minutes at a time.
We planned our water usage and rationed showers. Suddenly, the dreaded chore became something I looked forward to. I set out body wash and shampoo, towel, washcloth, and clothes, then found music to listen to. It was a whole, five-minute shower event.
And here’s the funny thing – the shower didn’t change – but my attitude did. Instead of an interruption to my day, it became a gift.
So how do I – how do we – turn those irritating interruptions into welcome invitations?
I think about Paul’s letter from prison to the Philippians.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV).
Like Paul, I can’t always change my circumstances, but I can always work on changing my perspective.
And the most valuable tool in my perspective belt is gratitude.
One of the best ways to do this is to reframe my speech.
I consciously work on replacing the words “have to” with “get to” and add the part that I’m grateful for when I’m talking to my husband or someone else.
Instead of “I have to do the dishes,” I say, “I get to do the dishes in the dishwasher.”
Instead of “I have to work today,” I say, “I get to work today at a job I mostly love.”
Instead of “I have to cook dinner,” I say, “I get to cook dinner with fresh, healthy, and delicious ingredients.”
Because, friend, I have done dishes without a dishwasher. I have worked at a job that was disheartening to go to every day. I have been in a place where I couldn’t afford ingredients we enjoyed eating. And I know that there will be times in my life when those situations come up again. So, while learning to be content in every situation, I will speak the part I’m grateful for.
And on the day I don’t have a dishwasher to do dishes? I will be grateful for the dishes I have (or, even better, paper plates).
Because in every circumstance, there is something to be grateful for.
A life of seeking gratitude is a life of contentment. Because we can’t always change our circumstances, but we can always change how we respond to those circumstances.
What area of your life do you need to seek contentment? How can you be grateful in that less-than-ideal circumstance?
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Help me to remember to be grateful even in uncomfortable situations. Give me strength as I learn to be content in all circumstances.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Paul lived a contented life through God, who gave him strength. In what circumstances have you seen God give you an extra measure of strength? If you’re in an uncomfortable situation right now, what’s one aspect you can be grateful for? Click below to let us know in the comments.
More from the Girlfriends
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Thank you sooo much for today’s devotional. It reminded me to adjust my attitude daily. I love how Kathy says to say, “ I get to …”
Instead of “I have to””. I REALLY needed to hear this today! Thanks so much . Such a blessing!💕
Kathi, great devotional. Thank you for the time, discipline, and heart you put into it!
As for the prompt, there was a period of time where I went through a nervous breakdown due to severe burnout. So much so, it was hard to function on a daily basis. Another story for another day! My point is, there were countless times where I would call on God for His strength for just that day or even just that hour and He did it every time. Whether it was to get a shower, eat a whole plate of food, or be alone for an hour, He gave me the strength to make the right choice when I felt extremely weak.
As for gratitude, I’m thankful to God because from that really hard experience, I’ve made some major lifestyle changes that have been so life-giving — a slower-paced life, being more reasonable with my day-to-day workload, better nutrition, consistent fitness, renewed thinking, boundaries, vision for my life, and more.
I am thankful for my camper. I had a beautiful life, volunteer at an elderly community after my husband had passed away.
I was looking for a piece of property to have for if my handicapped son needed to come to live with me he loved it on the farm with his dad but if his dad was to pass away I wanted to have a place secured for him and myself.
Sounded like a great plan although there was a problem
I didn’t listen to the Holy Spirit that was telling me not to do that, this was not Gods plan for me to buy with my stepson. I went ahead and listen to my own heart and now I’m in a situation that isn’t pleasant.
God is giving me the strength to move forward, forgive myself learn from my mistakes and know that he is always there and God still has a new plan for me even when I step out of His plan.
Wonderful reminder of how a grateful attitude can change any circumstance of our day! Thank you for sharing valuable thinking suggestions that reminds me of the power of my thoughts!
I am thankful for my camper prayers please I am looking for a piece of property in the town I wanted to stay in.
That God would work out all the details on the property with my stepson, so I will be able to buy a piece of property elsewhere for my handicap son and myself. If that is God’s plans.
Thank you for this lovely insight on how much we have to be grateful for!! Your heartfelt words speak life and hope into another morning.
God’s abundant and life-saving grace be yours!!
Great devotional with awesome inspiration.
My son is 18 and he’s working and just bought himself a truck that he’s responsible to pay for. There was a mix up with the first payment and 2 payments were made overdrawing his bank account. Of course he had a meltdown and didn’t know what to do. His dad and I helped him out and got his account back on track. I sat down last night and really thought about what he had done for him, and realizing how just a year ago we were not in a position to be able to have helped like we did. I’m thankful everyday for what we have, what God has done for us. I do have those days that I dread the shower for the same reasons but then I have to remind myself how blessed we are. This whole devotional had my name written all over it.