“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NLT
Have you encountered people whose moods are determined by the state of their account balance? If they are cheerful, there is the likelihood of a bubbly balance and if they are grumpy, then clearly it is in the red. This should not be the disposition of believers.
As we can see from our anchor Scripture, Apostle Paul kept it real and explained that believers are not immune from the waves and tides of life. This means that there will be times of lack and of plenty. However, what differentiates a believer from others is knowledge and response to each situation. It is knowledge that helps you take in every situation and then respond appropriately.
For example, during a season of lack, you know it and own it but continue to declare to yourself that it is not a permanent situation. This helps you stay content and trust God absolutely knowing that He will strengthen us in those seasons (Philippians 4:13).
For the natural man, it will seem logical to be distressed in times of financial decline, but for a man in Christ, there should be a different disposition. We must have the mentality that God is in our future already, and He anticipates our needs and caters for them (Matthew 6:8). Always remember that you serve a providential God.
He had a plan for our salvation even before we knew we needed saving, how much more our natural needs? Hence, it is inconsistent to believe that God is providential in our salvation but not with our needs (Romans 8:32).
The days of little may seem never-ending and overwhelming, but you must be convinced of the character of God. Don’t be quick to judge your destiny based on your journey. Life is a process, and we have to trust God with it (Psalm 20:7). For example, Joseph’s journey may not have looked like his dreams but he chose to trust God with his life regardless.
Never let your present state cause you to esteem yourself lower. Your esteem ought to come from the knowledge of who you are in Christ. The state of your finances should not dictate your worth, your true worth is found in Christ.
Dear believer, in all these things, let your joy and peace in God be intact. To preserve your joy, in little or in plenty, make sure that your trust in God does not sway. God is a rock and He can be trusted, and if your joy is rooted in Him then it won’t shake. (Psalm 16:11). Situations around us may change but our joy is from within, therefore it does not change.
Bible Reading Plan: Jonah 1-4