On Contentment in the Midst of Trials

Their thoughts said...

 "The secret to contentment is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances" (Elisabeth Elliot).

"Here is one of the most beautiful fruits of grace—a heart that is content, more given to worship than demand and more given to the joy of gratitude than the anxiety of want. It is grace and grace alone that can make this kind of peaceful living possible for each of us. Won’t you reach out today for that grace?" (Paul David Tripp, New Morning Mercies)

"It is not opposed to making an orderly manner our moan and complaint to God, and to our friends. Though a Christian ought to be quiet under God's correcting hand, he may without any breach of Christian contentment complain to God. As one of the ancients says, Though not with a tumultuous clamor and shrieking out in a confused passion, yet in a quiet, still, submissive way he may unbosom his heart to God. Likewise he may communicate his sad condition to his Christian friends, showing them how God has dealt with him, and how heavy the affliction is upon him, that they may speak a word in season to his weary soul" (Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment).

My heart responded...

Lord, we lift our hands to You. We plead for Your grace and help in our painful, thorny trials. They are much too much for us, and we ask for their removal as soon as they have done Your appointed work in us. At the same time, we grieve our crosses with gratitude for Your presence with and in us. We do not walk through the deep waters and dark valleys alone or comfortless. The same Christ who prayed and wept at Gethsemane yet handed Himself over and submitted to the cross for my sake dwells in me. Let His future-facing joy, courage, and fellowship be my joy and a wellspring of contentment and rest even in the waiting for burdens to be lifted. I ask this grace for each soul reading these words today as well, Lord.

No matter what this life brings, the stories of Your children have happy endings. This is better by far than we deserve, truly amazing grace. You bring life to dead hearts and redemption to horribly broken circumstances. You are preparing tomorrow’s glories through today’s trials. We hope in You; we seek Your face. Thank You for hearing and welcoming us in Jesus’ name. Amen.