This morning as I drove to church my thoughts were racing with concerns for friends. I have so many dear friends who are struggling with things in their lives. Some of those friends are dealing with issues that I am aware of and others are strained in secret. I began praying to God for guidance on how to help these friends. I begged Him for a message to give each one; a message that would bring them around and heal their broken heart. A bible verse came to mind Philippians 4:13. As I pulled into the parking lot I could hardly turn the pages fast enough. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. There was my answer, or so I thought. In my sweet moment of victory I felt the quiet nudge of the Lord saying, that is not it read further. No, Lord I have the answer I do not need to read anymore. Reluctantly, I went up a few verses. 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 everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13.
I felt like if God would just give me those magic words of comfort I could make everyone happy and praising the Lord together. However, the answer was not to remind my friends that God’s strength can help them through all they faced. In fact the message was more for me. I had been so concerned for how to solve all these problems and how to bring the peace of God to my friends that I was allowing His peace to leave me. I need to learn that as a child of God and a fellow Christian sister it is not always my task to solve and fix. The Lord wants me to be content in what is happening in my life as well as the lives of those around me. Often times God has lessons for us in the hardships and wisdom in the darkness. In my life lately I have had no problem with those facts but for some reason I want to rob the work of the Lord from my friends. I am thankful today for the sweet voice of God as he teaches me the lessons I need to know and I am content in the knowledge that He will do the same for all His children.
