On contentment and provision.

from Praise in Presence of God // Youversion Bible Plan

Elisabeth Elliot, Kisses from Kate, and Jack Hayford have taught me, through their writings, a great lesson: everything is a gift from God. Nothing is waisted in God's economy. 

Single as opposed to the desired marriage: it's a gift. 

Part time job as opposed to the desired full time: it's a gift. 

The car I have as opposed to the desired car: it's a gift. 

You're catching the drift... 

So what then when suffering comes, is this too a gift? Even in this, we can be content and accept as a gift. 

Yet I have come to understand even suffering, through the transforming power of the cross, as a gift, for in this broken world, in our sorrow, He gives us Himself; in our loneliness He comes to meet us. —Elisabeth Elliot 

"Suffering, pain, loss, shame – all these things I have blamed on a broken world, Satan even. But can’t a broken world and even Satan only give what God allows? Suffering, pain loss and shame are only these things because I label them as such. Because I, a sinner, choose to eat from the tree, choose to turn away from nail-scarred hands and ignore the grace and miss the gift. He is beautiful and everything He creates is beautiful and if I choose to label it suffering I am choosing to miss the beauty that is freely offered me." -Kisses from Kate

But now, [your name here], listen to the Lord who created you. O [your name here], the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:1-2

For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:31

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

How can we then, not have peace and joy in times of difficulties? God has provided for us everything we need for right living, and living period. Everything we have is a gift, it's God's provision, and in this we can be content.