Decisions That Lead to Contentment

I have some medical prostate cancer news forthcoming but I saw the following short article by Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor of 1st Baptist Church of Atlanta, and published in his “In Touch” devotional dated June 30th.  The familiar theme verse cited is from Romans 8:28 which says, “and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

“Think about a circumstance in your life that you would change if you could.” (Prostate cancer perhaps?)  “Are you frustrated? Worried? Angry?  To experience the freedom of contentment in the midst of it, …..you must accept the situation as having been allowed by God, even if He didn’t cause it.”

“In those situations, I (Dr. Stanley) often pray, ‘Lord, I choose to accept this as though it’s coming from you.  No matter what I see, I’m choosing to look to You.’  Then I can rest in His omnipotence and the knowledge that I am a child of the living God.  Instead of feeling like a helpless, hopeless victim of my circumstance, I know I’m cared for and guided by my sovereign Father through whatever may come.”

“The second crucial decision is total submission.  This does not mean approaching God insincerely and saying ‘Well Lord, I just want to thank you for this!’  No, it’s not.  Be honest and admit ‘this is painful and I don’t like it.  But I choose to submit to You because You are trustworthy and loving.  I’m willing to persevere until You accomplish in me whatever You want.  I choose to draw from Your strength for everything I need.’  If you make this decision and follow through, your fears will lose their power.  Either you believe Romans 8:28 or you don’t.  And if you do, you can entrust yourself to the Lord, knowing that He has your best interest at heart, will take care of you, and won’t ever leave your side.  When you embrace these truths, you’ll have no reason to be anxious.”

P.S. If you are not sure of your relationship with God, and how Romans 8:28 applies to you individually,  please see the website section entitled “How to enter into a personal relationship with God.”

One thought on “Decisions That Lead to Contentment”

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