Learning to be Content

I was in a work meeting earlier this week with a brother in the Lord. Close to the end of our meeting, I said to him that I just want my analysts to be "content" (pronounced kənˈtent) with a particular process. I honestly don't know where the word "content" came from other than the Holy Spirit, as I've never used that word in one of these meetings before.

When we hear the term "contentment" or "content", we think of it as a negative. Being content means being in a state of peaceful happiness. In Philippians 4:11, Paul said that he had learned to be content with "whatever state he was in". Here's the passage in context: 

Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT)
¹⁰ How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. ¹¹ Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. ¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Think about that for just a moment. If we take the time to be content with where we are and/or with what we have, we'll be much better off. We may not have as much money as we want. We may not have the exact job we want. We may not even be in the type of relationship we want to be in. But when we embrace the fact that all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28), we know that it's really okay.

I think sometimes about where I am...the place I'm in. The moment I begin to allow the place to get me down, something stirs on the inside and reminds me that there's someone in a worse position than I'm in. So, my mindset and mood change almost instantly!

You may be asking yourself...'How do I learn to be content?' I know it's a lot easier said than done. But here are a few suggestions:

- Wake up every morning giving God praise and thanks for allowing you to see that day
- Focus on where you're going
- Literally look at what the Lord has done in, through you, and around you
- Look for the positive in every situation; think about what you can learn/gain from it
- When in what seems like a hardship or difficult situation, praise God right there and ask Him to sustain you

In summation, I'm learning (still) to be content with whatever state I'm in. You ought to try it. It's not as bad as you think. It's just a part of the process :)

Be blessed!
~Tee

Remember Whose You Are

As I stood in line today at a local Walmart, a lady dropped her keys in front of me. She began to stoop down and stopped. Seeing she was an older lady, I stooped down and motioned to get her keys. Looking me straight in my eyes and with the most evil tone, she said, "I don't need no strange person doing nothing for me. I can bend over." She then stomped her foot over her keys. I had the most shocked look on my face. She proceeded with her transaction, which was cashing a check. She then began staring at me...looking me over...and then threw a broken rubber band my way. The entire time, I had this shocked look on my face. I was thinking to myself, "It's so good to know Jesus cuz if this would have been a long time ago...". I'm sure some of you can finish that sentence! LOL!

When it was my turn, the young lady at the counter let out a loud "Whew" and began talking about how mean the lady was. My response - "She was evil." Both me and the young lady didn't allow the spirit in this woman to affect us. The young lady working in Walmart delivered good service to this customer regardless to her haughtiness towards her. I kept my composure and didn't "let this lady have it".

We are all going to be in situations where the spirit of God in us is tested. It is at these times where we have to remember whose we are. It's so easy to let loose and "let someone have it". What is this really going to accomplish? The reality of it is, while we may feel better emotionally, it's probably a missed opportunity to win someone to the Kingdom of God. I know...it's a lot easier said than done :) But we are encouraged to not repay evil with evil, but with kindness (1 Peter 3:9).

While it took me a minute to calm down after this, I was rejoicing spiritually. This was a sign of growth. For those that know me personally, they know that I have no problem telling someone how I feel or how they have affected me. This time was a bit different, though. I'm so glad the Holy Ghost in me STOOD UP at this very moment. The longer I stood in line, the following Scripture came to mind -

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2)

This encounter today has encouraged me to do just what the Word of God says...show hospitality to strangers. For all she knows, she encountered an "angel" today and didn't even know it! The principle of sowing and reaping is real (Galatians 6:7-9). I hope this posts plants a good seed in someone. Keep on doing good no matter what, remembering whose you are - a child of the Most High!

Abundant blessings,

~Tee

The Second Half...

For some reason, I'm elated the first half of the year is over. I had so much going on last month, for instance, until I didn't know whether I was coming or going most days. But yet and still, I persevered! And so did you! I feel so good about July and the days to come. I set some personal goals while on vacation a couple weeks ago, and I know that it's time to just get 'er done!

When I woke this morning, I literally heard, "SECOND HALF". I began thinking about a game and what usually happens in the second half. I'm inclined to share with you what dropped in my spirit as I tried to make sense of this 'second half':


You've come to a point where you have to step it up. You have to work harder than before, focus like never before, and undergird yourself with the Word and a different level of determination. There has been a point in this process where I spoke to you and gave you clear instructions. I gave you the plan to move forward and WIN! It's now up to you. You thought you were losing. But in actuality, you've been winning. Don't worry about them, they're just about wore out. They exercised all their energy trying to "get you". Now...here's what you do. Stick to the plan. Seek Me and yield completely to My will. You may very well get a little behind, but no worries...you'll come out with the victory. Listen to Me and trust Me.


Whew...now with that said, I feel a shift in my spirit today. And it's all for a good reason. I refuse to look back, turn back, or even run. I'm excited about the 2nd half, and I know that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! I know that my latter is going to be greater than my past. And my past will NOT speak to my future (thanks, Mom!).

Let's get ready for the challenge, (wo)man up, and give this second half all we've got. After all, it's all a part of the process.

I'm ready. Are you? Let's get it!
~Tee