In one of my seasons of frustration, not understanding what was going on and why things were not as I felt they should be, I heard that still, small whisper, “Be still and be content!”
The Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance that “Paul learned to be content!” As we walk the runway of life and encounter all the detours of life, it is sometimes hard to put a smile on and say, “All is well.”
I began reading the book of Philippians, as I knew that was where Paul said, “For I have learned in whatever state I am to be content” (Phil. 4:11b). I found a secret in his learning process in Philippians 3:13: “But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
God always thinks about the future (Jer. 29:11). Satan doesn’t know the future, so of course he is always bringing up the past. As I meditated on all of these thoughts, I asked God, “How do I forget? Satan is always bringing up the past!” He instantly spoke to my spirit, “You remember.” “Remember,” I thought. Again He spoke, “When you remember, you are choosing your thoughts!” If you are not choosing your thoughts, where do you think those thoughts are coming from?
Paul gives us a clear warning in 2 Corinthians 11:3: “But I fear that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve through his trickery, so your minds might be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
Second Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Eve took thought of Satan’s words; she allowed them to become a stronghold in her mind. She believed a lie and empowered the liar. Eve did not value the Word of God. She chose to believe Satan over God.
Eve was not content with what she had. That is hard to believe. She was living in a perfect place with a perfect husband, yet she was not content. Her discontentment opened the door for deception, and she walked right in.
Eve had her time in the garden. Now you have your time in the garden of your life. Jesus restored to you everything that was stolen in the garden, including a relationship with Him. You must learn to grow roses from the thorns of life! In my new book, The Real Woman Grows Roses from the Thorns of Life, I share how we learn the season of life and learn to be content.
Buds of life spring forth as you receive the truths of the life-giving revelation in this book, producing roses of peace and joy. Life is full of pain, but misery is optional to the real woman of God.
Abraham Lincoln said, “We can complain because rosebushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Let’s rejoice and thank God that He is with us, giving us the grace to grow roses from the thorns of life. Remember, roses bloom in season, but thorns are always there. {eoa}
Joyce Tilney is an author and Bible teacher. In her new book, The Real Woman Grows Roses from the Thorns of Life, you will be encouraged and receive seeds of faith for daily living. For more information: [email protected] and wogministries.com. Her book is available on Amazon.
