Is it impossible to be content in your pain? Karlton explains how you can find that contentment after all.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11)
It seems impossible to me to be content when I feel so miserable. When my nerves are on edge, when fatigue feels like a cloak of lead dragging me down, when aches and pains make me feel horrible to the core of my being, I cannot imagine being anywhere close to content.
The only way I can find any measure of contentment is to try and refocus my perspective. And the only way I can shift my perspective is to consider the Lord, His ability to save, heal, protect, defend, and empower the helpless. I need the peace of God that transcends my temporary circumstances, my momentary misery.
Pretending that I’m feeling well when I feel like something that has been run over by a pickup truck–that is useless. I cannot wish away my misery, and neither can you. We might as well be honest about how lousy we feel, admit that the only way we could feel any worse would be if someone set us on fire. Honesty is the starting point to refocusing our perspective.
Okay, so we admit we are in pain. What is our recourse in such circumstances to be content? We begin by taking our thinking to a higher place than our circumstances, we reach out to the Lord in prayer, we consider his might and power, an awesome power mightier than the “lions, tigers, and bears” of life that have taken their toll upon us. We realize that our pain and misery are not long-term friends, but merely short-term enemies that will fall at the feet of Jesus.
In essence, we change our minds, no more pretending that our suffering is not real, but we acknowledge that there is something–someone even more real than our temporary misery– and with His help, we may be content in spite of our present suffering.
Contentment may seem like a word alien to your current situation. I know how you feel. To be content in misery seems impossible for me as well. Yet I have, time and again, seen God take a miserable day, a terrible period of my life, and give me moments of joy, peace, and contentment.
Feeling the embrace of a loved one, seeing the compassion and kindness in their eyes. Enjoying the random act of kindness from a stranger, and being able to show that same kindness to others, and seeing the affection in their eyes. Such things can pull us outside of ourselves, can lift us beyond our present misery, help us to see God in others, and allow God to be God through us and our actions. His mighty power is greater than our misery, and through His presence, peace, grace, and love, we find we can be content even in terrible circumstances.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we hate misery and we loathe suffering, yet we pray that through Your presence and grace we will help us be content and peace despite our misery. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He knows what it is to feel miserable in affliction, yet he is grateful for the Lord’s presence throughout his challenges.
Does it seem impossible to be content in your current circumstances? Do you feel overwhelmed by the misery in your life? Have you called upon the Lord lately?
We can’t be content with what the world gives us–it really is as simple as that. This song, “Here I am to Worship,” is one of those worship songs that reminds us to put everything else in our world aside for a few minutes and worship the Lord. We hope it will help you be content today.
This was just what I needed this morning. I was feeling pretty good when I got up, but then right after I washed my hair in the shower, I got a wave of pain and then a burst of nausea. I just prayed again for the strength to get through my shower. Quickness, the handicap rail, the shower chair, and prayer got me through. I am content in knowing that extra push comes from my belief.
Joan, thanks for sharing
Blessings.
Karlton
Joan, God bless you. My times taking a shower can turn on me in seconds, too.
Karlton, thank you for your good reminders to us. Right after I read your devotional, I read my posting from Ann Voscamp’s web site, “A Holy Experience”. She shared a video by Tim Keller that stands side by side with your message. I will post the link here.
God bless you, too!
Lynn
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/10/how-is-joy-in-suffering-possible-video/
Thank you Lynn
That is a good video message.
Blessings.
Karlton
Karlton: Contentment! What a gift this is. In John 14:27, Jesus reassured his disciples just few hours before he was arrested, tried and executed. He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives …” And, according to Paul it can be learned.
How encouraging to me! Thank you for exploring this truth and sharing it with us.
Lynn: I really appreciated the video you recommended as well.
May peace, joy and contentment grow in each of our lives, whatever our circumstances.
Hi Karlton,
Thank you for putting this topic into a better perspective for us. Just the other day after I had been really ill and bed ridden for about 2 weeks, felt a little better, took a short walk. Came upon a beautiful weed that was covered with Monarch butterflies. The entire summer I had only seen one very far awayand yet, here it is almost time for them to be really scarce or almost gone, but amazingly, there were about 10 of them! Couldn’t believe my eyes at this beautiful surprise.
The joy seeing those beautiful, fragile butterflies made me realize that God is always standing by our side and gives us so many special gifts to get us through our trials.
Really appreciate your article. It gave me great comfort and put into words what I have trouble articulating.
Beth, thanks! I agree that contentment is something we can learn. Our thinking, beliefs, philosophy has a huge impact on contentment. Western materialism teaches you can’t be happy unless you have the latest gadgets or material accumulation of items to be happy. So some people are never happy, because they must have the best house, car, gadget, but they get those and are still miserable. Those who can hold lightly to the things of this life and tightly to the Lord are most happy and content
Blessings.
Karlton
Thanks for the kind words Teresa
I almost think that because we are sometimes so miserable and suffer so much that a kind act, or beautiful moment like with the butterflies, means so much more to us than those who take such things for granted.
Blessings.
Karlton
You are so right Karlton,
I have always been an avid animal and nature lover, but after my injury, photography became my passion. Being able to capture some of God’s beautiful creations on a photograph lets me revisit those wonderful times when I’m in a lot of pain or have been too ill to go outside for weeks and takes my mind off my pain. Truly beliee He guided me for that purpose now to share with others.
Karlton,
This devotion goes right along with my journey to learn contentment in the midst of either plenty or suffering. It does seem I (we with chronic illness) have much more practice in the place of suffering.
Lynn,
I had just listened to the video by Tim Keller last night through another chronic illness site. I was feeling the weight of deep sorrow and the Lord in His graciousness brought that video to me in the midst of it. I could then rest in knowing that He was at work. This morning the weight has been lifted up and I am so grateful. The amazing thing though was in the middle of the heaviness gratitude and joy was evident as well. I believe the lessons in contentment are producing fruit! I praise the Lord for His transforming power!!
That’s great Teresa
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Diana
Teresa: I can relate to your love for animals and nature. That very special siting of all the monarch butterflies would have been breath-taking. What a wonderful God, who blesses us in such a personal way. Thanks for sharing that experience.
Karlton: I agree that we have a capacity to appreciate things that so many take for granted. I remember a time I was in hospital after major surgery. My it was wonderful to just have a nurse give me a little wash in the bed. It felt so good.
We in Canada have just finished our Thanksgiving weekend and so are more tuned to all the blessings from the Lord than usual. I’m glad for The American Thanksgiving being a month or so later so we’re reminded all over again.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Beth
I needed this message today. I know that it is true, but I needed to reminded. As my illness has progressed and I am home most of the time alone. I have more time to think of my condition and feel all my aches and pains. And I try to cope by being busy. But that isn’t the answer. I needed to be reminder, to surrender all to God. I love the original hymn “I Surrender All” as well as the song “Here I am to Worship”. I have to surrend all and worship God each morning, so that the rest of my day can have contentment. I must stop worrying about what I can or cannot do, and let me recognize the joy and contentment God has already and is still placing in my life. And then, praise and worship him. Thanks for this devotional.
Well said Tonyia!
Blessings.
Karlton