"...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 4:11b-13
"I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 3:16-18
I have been studying Lysa TerKeurst's book "Uninvited" and meditating on the concept she presented about being filled with the fullness of God as spoken about in Ephesians 3:18. She challenges us that instead of approaching those situations in life where we are rejected or left out with our feelings, that instead we bring the fullness of God into them. I love this.
As great as this sounds, I kept asking myself the "how" question. How can I do this? How can I move beyond my feelings and embrace the fullness of God? What does the fullness of God mean?
I went to the Greek for the word fullness and got the definition fullness. Not helpful. But then I looked at Philippians 4:11b-13 at the word context. The Greek uses the word "full" in verse 12. Paul knows the secret to being full in every situation and that is "to be strong in the One strengthening me" (from the Greek). Paul is content in the sense of satisfied because He is living in God's fullness, God's love, mercy, grace, truth, justice, righteousness. Those things fill him up, not people, things, activities, places. Not being seen, accepted, liked, or loved by others. All those things are secondary and may or may not happen.
Because Paul is filled up with God, he can be content or satisfied. He is made sufficient--good enough--through God's power. I want this. I need this.
Widowhood is lonely. Solo parenthood is hard. It's hard to find your way again.
The good news is I don't have to go looking for this. I already have it.
In the words of the song by 4Him and Jon Anderson:
"The only thing I need I already have
The fullness of Your mercy in my hand
The only One who loves me as I am
The only thing I need I already have."
I already have God's love and mercy. I only have to allow it to fill me completely. When it does, I can give it to others.
As a result, I can be content in my widowhood. I can be a fragrant offering (Eph. 5:2) to all those around me.
I started this list of reasons why I can be content. I'm not finished with it yet, but my community group wants me to post it. Feel me to tell me what to add to it.
I can be content in widowhood because:
** "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer--He is my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Ps. 18: 2-3
** "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Ps. 73:26
** You are El Roi--the God who sees me. Gen. 16:13
** You are a shield around me...[You] lift up my head. Ps. 3:3
** You are a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Ps. 9:9
** Your love is unfailing and You are my salvation. Ps. 13:5
** You keep my lamp burning and turn darkness into light. Ps. 18:28
** You do not despise or disdain the suffering of Your afflicted ones...You do not hide Your face from us, but listen to our cry for help. Ps. 22:24
** When I seek the LORD, He answers me and delivers me from my fears. Ps. 34:4
** When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me. Ps. 23:4
** You turn to me and are gracious to me when I am lonely and afflicted. Ps. 25:16
** You hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help. Ps. 28:2
** When I call to You for help, You heal me. Ps. 30:2
** You will one day turn my wailing into dancing...You will remove my sackcloth and clothe me with joy so that my heart will sing to You and not be silent. In this, I will give You thanks forever. Ps. 30:11-12
** You will never leave me or forsake me. Heb. 13:5
** For the sake of Your name, You will lead and guide me since You are my rock and my fortress. Ps. 31:3
** You redeem me and I can commit my spirit into Your hands. Ps. 31:5
** You see the affliction and the anguish of my soul. Ps. 31:7
** You are merciful to me when I am in distress...when my eyes grow weak with sorrow and my body and soul with grief. Ps. 31:9
** You are my hiding place. You protect me and surround me with songs of deliverance. Ps. 32:7
** You are good. You are a refuge in times of trouble. You care for those who trust in You.
** You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.