Devotions

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Strength To Be Content
May 30, 2024
by Karen Wingate

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

After a family gathering, my daughter walked into our living room and found me in tears. “I miss your sister,” I explained through choked sobs.

My other daughter had recently moved thousands of miles away, prohibiting us from visiting each other. Friends tried to console me, suggesting text messages and Zoom calls. It’s not the same, I wanted to retort.  I longed to see her face, to spend the evening playing games and talking about books as we always did when she visited. How could I be content with her absence when I missed her so much?

In Scripture, the Apostle Paul told his friends in Philippi that he had learned to be content no matter the circumstances (Philippians 4:11). Paul struggled to meet basic needs like food and housing as he maintained his on-the-road ministry. But he shared in Philippians 4 that whether he had or didn’t have enough, whether he was full or went to bed hungry, he could be content.  The Greek word Paul used for “content” could also mean “self-sufficient” or “self-reliant,” describing the ability to carry on despite one's current life situation. Whether we face an empty table or empty chairs, contentment enables us not to let those circumstances devastate or paralyze us.  But how?

Paul’s answer comes in our key verse: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

It’s hard to face the lack of family or the dearth of basic provisions. God doesn’t ask us to shove our emotions or desires to the side. But He does offer His strength so we can keep moving forward.  A few verses later, Paul reassures us of God’s provision: “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, NIV).

I’ve seen God do this. After my daughter moved away, God brought us closer to other family members. We enjoyed family gatherings in new ways. And God connected me with new friends, developing stronger relationships than I’d ever had in my adult life. Most of all, I knew I could handle missing my daughter because God would give me and her the strength we needed to be content with where He had us in this season of life.  Maybe you miss someone who has moved miles away or moved to their final address in heaven. It can be heart-wrenching, I know, especially during certain seasons of the year when you see other families planning happy events. Friend, you can keep holding on but not by yourself. God is available to give you the strength, comfort and wisdom you need to be content with where He has you at this moment.

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Letting Your Heavenly Father Love You
June 3, 2024
by Blythe Daniel

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (NLT)

For some of us, some of the hardest seasons are the ones that bring up a parent’s role in our lives. As Father’s Day approaches, you might experience an undercurrent of sadness as your dad may not have been the dad you hoped for. And it can be difficult to relate to God as heavenly Father or receive His love when you haven’t experienced a loving earthly father.  Have you ever thought about the qualities of God’s character that you would want your father to display, like protection, provision, teaching, comfort and nurturing?

Deep disappointment enters when our father hasn’t shown these qualities. But whether or not you can talk with your father, you can talk with God about how He wants to bring who He is into your life. God wants you and me to remember that He has always known who our parents would be; He’s had a plan for our lives since before we existed (Psalm 139:13-16). Your place in your family is not a mistake. You bring a spiritual presence to your family given to you by God.  In our key verses, Jesus shares, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29, NLT).

Where a father may fall short, Jesus is gentle with us and helps our souls rest. When we carry the burden of not having a good relationship with our father, God the Comforter steps in to heal our hearts, and He holds us in His arms. God can nurture us and help us take steps to acknowledge and recognize Him as our Father.  I’ve found it helpful, when I feel a lack of love in my earthly family, to go to God the Father and ask Him to show how He loves me. This Father’s Day, consider talking with God in these ways:

    Ask God to help you grieve the father you wished for. He can help you forgive your earthly father for not being who he needed to be.
    Ask God to father you in ways your father did not. God promises to renew your heart and spirit: “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you” (Ezekiel 36:26a, NLT).
    Practice gratitude. Our Father loves when we delight in Him. We can draw closer to Him and change our perspective as we thank Him for how He loves us in the ways we want and need to be loved.

As Father’s Day approaches, maybe you’re preparing to honor your earthly father. Or maybe Father’s Day is painful for you because of who your father was or is. Even if your earthly father let you down, you can trust that your heavenly Father will never leave you or forsake you, and He will never disappoint you.  Whatever your earthly father was not, God is everything and more for you.