What Changed?

2 Thessalonians 3:16  "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!"

Philippians 4:11  "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."


      Life is a series of ever-changing circumstances, both good and bad.  Change is inevitable and sometimes we have to humble ourselves to a new low.  Low points can bring great joy tho, with the right attitude and gratitude.  "Conditions around us will fluctuate, but if we belong to Christ, He’ll use every situation to accomplish His will, in and through us. Even when we face matters of life and death, we can share Paul’s desire—that Christ would be exalted in us, whether through life or death." [intouch.org]
      Would you change your past or present state of circumstance, if you could?  Many of us would, but 'Thank God' that our power is limited.  He is in control, not our minuscule view.  "Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great peace and pure joy to those who would learn to believe that God actually controls all things." [Corrie Ten Boom]
        Is your focus on your circumstances?  When we concentrate our minds on our situation, it can become larger than life, both in our minds and reactions towards it.  "Anxiety comes when we look at our circumstances and then 'our' ability, but faith comes when we look at our circumstances and then 'God's' ability."  "Ships don't sink because of the water 'around' them, ships sink because of the water that gets 'in' them.  Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down."
        What if, we realigned our focus on God's presence with us and His never-changing attributes.  God is good ALL THE TIME and ALL THE TIME God is good!  God never ceases being full of grace and mercy.  He is ALWAYS kind, just, patient, loving, present, all-knowing, holy, righteous, sovereign, eternal, incomparable, incorruptible, infinite and more than we can describe.
         As for my personal state of circumstance, there is more joy than heartache in the waiting to be called Home.  I won't make light of the discomfort in losing my physical freedom within this body, but I know my soul will go on after this body has passed.  So, I focus on what makes my soul happy, with respect to God's will for my life.  I believe Jesus came to give us life to the fullest, so its my calling to glorify Him in all I do...whether its soaking up the sun outside, doing a breathing treatment, or taking my air on/off while visiting with friends.
        'Be still and know that I am God' is a practical way to see your circumstance as, in His control and part of His plans.  He won't give us more than we can bear, even when we question.  We can be joyful knowing, whatever circumstance that we are in, that it is temporary and will pass to another state of existence or to eternity.
        "Our eyes are to be focused on the Lord, not on our circumstances. We are to live above the shadows of fear and bask in the sunlight of faith. Even though we, like Habakkuk, may have a long list of troubles, faith’s answer to disappointment must always be: “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (v.18). That type of attitude will enable us to live above the circumstances instead of under them." [odb.org]


If in every circumstance, we turn to Jesus.. we will always find Him there.