March 20, 2025
Chapter 10: Ep 3: Unlocking Contentment: Trusting God's Provision and Timing
The player is loading ...
Welcome to "Contentment in All Circumstances," part of our 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal series. This episode delves into finding true peace through Christ, regardless of life’s challenges. Drawing from Philippians 4:12-13, we explore the Apostle Paul’s insights on contentment, highlighting how trust in God can bring satisfaction regardless of abundance or need.
Discover how biblical figures like Job and the widow of Zarephath exemplified steadfast faith amidst adversity and found contentment in God’s provisions. Learn practical steps to cultivate gratitude, trust God’s timing, and focus on using current blessings for His glory. Reflect on what it means to declare, "I am content in every situation because my strength comes from Christ." Join us as we shift perspectives to see God’s faithfulness and experience joy in all seasons.
00:04 - Welcome to the Podcast
02:21 - Seeking Contentment Outside of God
04:11 - Trusting God's Provision
05:43 - Shifting Perspectives
08:13 - Cultivating a Spirit of Contentment
10:14 - Closing Reflections and Prayer
WEBVTT
00:00:00.017 --> 00:00:04.237
Hello, and welcome back to the Diary of a Black Woman podcast.
00:00:04.757 --> 00:00:09.417
I'm your host, Connie Morris, and I'm so glad you're here for today's episode
00:00:09.417 --> 00:00:13.217
in our 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal series.
00:00:13.597 --> 00:00:18.017
This episode is titled, Contentment in All Circumstances.
00:00:18.437 --> 00:00:24.157
Life throws challenges and changes at us, but through Christ,
00:00:24.377 --> 00:00:29.177
we can find true peace and contentment no matter what we face.
00:00:29.177 --> 00:00:34.577
If you've been struggling to find satisfaction or joy, this message will inspire
00:00:34.577 --> 00:00:37.597
you to rest in God's promises.
00:00:38.677 --> 00:00:46.217
The secret of contentment. We find that in Philippians 4, 12 to 13.
00:00:46.757 --> 00:00:50.637
And this is in Paul. So we know what Paul has been through.
00:00:50.897 --> 00:00:57.537
And it says, I know, excuse me, I know what it is to be in need.
00:00:57.537 --> 00:00:59.817
I know what it is to have plenty.
00:01:00.117 --> 00:01:05.777
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
00:01:06.057 --> 00:01:11.257
whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
00:01:11.257 --> 00:01:17.017
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
00:01:17.337 --> 00:01:25.857
The Apostle Paul's words reminds us that contentment isn't tied to our circumstances.
00:01:26.217 --> 00:01:29.377
Instead, it's rooted in our relationship with Christ.
00:01:29.777 --> 00:01:38.437
Paul experienced both abundance and hardship, yet he found peace because his strength came from God.
00:01:39.388 --> 00:01:43.428
Contentment is not about having everything you want.
00:01:43.608 --> 00:01:48.288
It's about trusting God to provide everything you need.
00:01:48.788 --> 00:01:54.308
I say that again. Contentment is not about having everything you want.
00:01:54.808 --> 00:02:00.928
It's about trusting God to provide everything you need.
00:02:01.248 --> 00:02:07.748
What areas of your life are you seeking contentment outside of God?
00:02:07.748 --> 00:02:12.388
I think that's a good question because when we're seeking contentment outside
00:02:12.388 --> 00:02:20.548
of God, that can cause a lot of uneasy feelings, a lot of, when you, people, jealousy.
00:02:21.348 --> 00:02:25.988
Comparison, I mean, you only want what God wants you to have,
00:02:26.088 --> 00:02:31.368
but when we start seeking things that God doesn't want us to have, we become discontent.
00:02:31.568 --> 00:02:34.108
And that's another story, Right.
00:02:34.448 --> 00:02:39.428
So let's let's keep going here. But let's just read the scripture again.
00:02:39.588 --> 00:02:47.808
So we understand that Paul knew how to be in need, but he also knew how to have
00:02:47.808 --> 00:02:49.308
when he had to have plenty.
00:02:49.308 --> 00:02:54.348
He said, I've learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
00:02:54.668 --> 00:02:59.668
whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
00:02:59.908 --> 00:03:03.188
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
00:03:03.348 --> 00:03:08.868
He's saying God can give him strength if he has a lot. He can give him a strength if he had little.
00:03:09.128 --> 00:03:13.008
But he knew that his strength came from God in either way.
00:03:14.298 --> 00:03:19.198
Contentment is woven throughout Scripture, and we see it in the lives of those
00:03:19.198 --> 00:03:21.438
who trust it, God, completely.
00:03:21.858 --> 00:03:26.898
Let's go to Job, and we'll look at the widows of Zarephath.
00:03:28.038 --> 00:03:31.818
Job faith amid loss, Job 121.
00:03:32.078 --> 00:03:39.238
After Job lost everything, Job declared, the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.
00:03:39.638 --> 00:03:41.978
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
00:03:42.798 --> 00:03:49.658
True contentment comes from a heart that worships God, even in the lost.
00:03:50.578 --> 00:03:57.058
The widow of Zarephath, found in 1 Kings 17, 17, 12 through 16.
00:03:57.438 --> 00:04:02.318
The widow of Zarephath had only a handful of flour and a little oil,
00:04:02.598 --> 00:04:06.598
yet she obeyed Elijah's request to make bread.
00:04:06.958 --> 00:04:11.698
God provided for her household until the drought ended.
00:04:11.978 --> 00:04:18.998
Contentment grows when we trust God's provision in the face of scarcity.
00:04:19.438 --> 00:04:27.798
That's powerful. So we see here that Job trusted God after he lost everything.
00:04:28.218 --> 00:04:35.798
And we see here that the widow trusted God when she really, she could have just
00:04:35.798 --> 00:04:41.358
ate that and died, but she trusted God in the face of scarcity.
00:04:41.978 --> 00:04:46.978
So both of those can happen to any one of us at any point in our life.
00:04:47.218 --> 00:04:50.758
So where is our faith? Where is our contentment?
00:04:51.038 --> 00:04:57.318
Can we trust God when we have it all? Can we trust God when we don't have it all? That's powerful.
00:04:57.858 --> 00:04:59.518
Thank you for that reminder.
00:05:00.118 --> 00:05:05.218
The world tells us that contentment comes from having more, more success,
00:05:05.438 --> 00:05:07.938
money, or recognition. But scripture
00:05:07.938 --> 00:05:12.918
shows us that contentment comes from gratitude and reliance on God.
00:05:13.786 --> 00:05:19.886
But godliness without contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into
00:05:19.886 --> 00:05:25.986
the world and we can take nothing out of it, 1 Timothy 6-7.
00:05:26.146 --> 00:05:32.386
When we focus on what we have instead of what we lack, we begin to see God's
00:05:32.386 --> 00:05:34.486
blessings all around us.
00:05:34.906 --> 00:05:42.446
Gratitude shifts our perspectives and allows us to experience joy even in difficult seasons.
00:05:43.446 --> 00:05:49.886
Wow. Isn't that the truth? When we focus on what we have instead of what we
00:05:49.886 --> 00:05:54.766
lack, we begin to seek God's blessings all around us.
00:05:55.706 --> 00:06:05.666
Our gratitude will shift our perspective and allow us to experience joy even in difficult seasons.
00:06:05.666 --> 00:06:11.066
I think the world thinks you need to have three cars and three-bedroom house
00:06:11.066 --> 00:06:14.146
or five-bedroom house, 5,000 square footage, you know.
00:06:14.306 --> 00:06:21.526
But if you're thankful with what you have, that can go such a long ways in your
00:06:21.526 --> 00:06:24.066
heart and in your stress level. Come on now.
00:06:24.486 --> 00:06:29.586
So how do we find contentment in our everyday life? How do we do that?
00:06:30.206 --> 00:06:34.286
First of all, I would say turn off your Facebook page and stop looking at other
00:06:34.286 --> 00:06:36.966
people's stuff. We don't know if it's theirs or not, right?
00:06:37.226 --> 00:06:41.466
They could be renting those homes out or, you know, they could just be there
00:06:41.466 --> 00:06:44.746
visiting and be somebody else's home. We don't know.
00:06:44.986 --> 00:06:51.846
So how do we find contentment in our own life? Number one, practice daily gratitude.
00:06:52.526 --> 00:06:57.086
You know, when you wake up and you breathe and that's a new day, right?
00:06:57.646 --> 00:07:02.726
Start this day by thanking God for three specific blessings.
00:07:03.726 --> 00:07:08.146
Gratitude helps us focus on God's faithfulness.
00:07:09.346 --> 00:07:13.386
Number two, trust God's timing and provision.
00:07:14.306 --> 00:07:20.446
Philippians 4.19 says, And my God will meet all your needs according to the
00:07:20.446 --> 00:07:23.366
riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
00:07:23.806 --> 00:07:28.186
Trust that God knows what you need and when you need it.
00:07:28.826 --> 00:07:33.226
Isn't that the truth? he knows what you need and when you need it.
00:07:33.366 --> 00:07:36.666
He's always on time, always on time.
00:07:36.866 --> 00:07:40.386
He knows what you need and when you need it.
00:07:40.726 --> 00:07:44.366
He said that my God will meet all your needs.
00:07:44.986 --> 00:07:49.906
Amen. Go to number three here. Say shift your perspective.
00:07:50.146 --> 00:07:53.926
Instead of asking, why don't I have more?
00:07:54.286 --> 00:07:59.066
Ask, how can I use what I have for God's glory.
00:08:00.102 --> 00:08:07.982
Instead of asking, why don't I have more? Ask, how can I use what I have for God's glory?
00:08:08.722 --> 00:08:13.062
We see here, how can we find contentment in our daily life?
00:08:13.262 --> 00:08:20.722
We see gratitude, trusting in God's timing and provision, and then shifting your perspective.
00:08:21.802 --> 00:08:27.902
Asking, why don't I have more? To how can I use what I have for God's glory?
00:08:28.842 --> 00:08:35.302
So let's declare some truths together to cultivate a spirit of contentment.
00:08:35.542 --> 00:08:43.342
So I decree that I am content in every situation because my strength comes from Christ.
00:08:44.322 --> 00:08:52.702
I decree that I trust God to provide all my needs according to his riches in glory.
00:08:52.702 --> 00:09:02.102
I decree that my heart is filled with gratitude and I rejoice in God's faithfulness.
00:09:03.642 --> 00:09:11.142
Let's totally shift the perspective from gimme, gimme, gimme to thank you, thank you, Lord.
00:09:11.542 --> 00:09:15.662
This week, I want to encourage you to reflect on Philippians 4,
00:09:15.822 --> 00:09:21.802
12 to 13. take time to identify areas where you have been seeking contentment
00:09:21.802 --> 00:09:26.202
outside of God and surrender those areas to him.
00:09:27.542 --> 00:09:30.482
And you're just like, Lord, is that why that prayer ain't getting answered?
00:09:30.482 --> 00:09:34.982
Because it's not part of your plan or out of your timing, right?
00:09:36.022 --> 00:09:40.162
I always create a gratitude journal. Write down at least three things you're
00:09:40.162 --> 00:09:45.342
thankful for each day and watch how your perspective shifts.
00:09:46.502 --> 00:09:53.382
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I thank you for being our source in strength and peace.
00:09:53.622 --> 00:10:00.262
Teach us to find contentment in you alone, no matter what our circumstances.
00:10:00.762 --> 00:10:07.282
Help us to live with gratitude, trusting your provision and timing in every season of life.
00:10:07.582 --> 00:10:13.222
May we experience the joy that comes from resting in your promises.
00:10:14.262 --> 00:10:20.942
In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Diary of Black Women podcast.
00:10:21.422 --> 00:10:24.082
This message has encouraged you.
00:10:24.302 --> 00:10:29.482
Share with a friend and subscribe to the podcast for more inspiration.
00:10:29.902 --> 00:10:38.422
Until next time, stay content in Christ and let his peace guide your heart and be blessed.
00:00:00.017 --> 00:00:04.237
Hello, and welcome back to the Diary of a Black Woman podcast.
00:00:04.757 --> 00:00:09.417
I'm your host, Connie Morris, and I'm so glad you're here for today's episode
00:00:09.417 --> 00:00:13.217
in our 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal series.
00:00:13.597 --> 00:00:18.017
This episode is titled, Contentment in All Circumstances.
00:00:18.437 --> 00:00:24.157
Life throws challenges and changes at us, but through Christ,
00:00:24.377 --> 00:00:29.177
we can find true peace and contentment no matter what we face.
00:00:29.177 --> 00:00:34.577
If you've been struggling to find satisfaction or joy, this message will inspire
00:00:34.577 --> 00:00:37.597
you to rest in God's promises.
00:00:38.677 --> 00:00:46.217
The secret of contentment. We find that in Philippians 4, 12 to 13.
00:00:46.757 --> 00:00:50.637
And this is in Paul. So we know what Paul has been through.
00:00:50.897 --> 00:00:57.537
And it says, I know, excuse me, I know what it is to be in need.
00:00:57.537 --> 00:00:59.817
I know what it is to have plenty.
00:01:00.117 --> 00:01:05.777
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
00:01:06.057 --> 00:01:11.257
whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
00:01:11.257 --> 00:01:17.017
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
00:01:17.337 --> 00:01:25.857
The Apostle Paul's words reminds us that contentment isn't tied to our circumstances.
00:01:26.217 --> 00:01:29.377
Instead, it's rooted in our relationship with Christ.
00:01:29.777 --> 00:01:38.437
Paul experienced both abundance and hardship, yet he found peace because his strength came from God.
00:01:39.388 --> 00:01:43.428
Contentment is not about having everything you want.
00:01:43.608 --> 00:01:48.288
It's about trusting God to provide everything you need.
00:01:48.788 --> 00:01:54.308
I say that again. Contentment is not about having everything you want.
00:01:54.808 --> 00:02:00.928
It's about trusting God to provide everything you need.
00:02:01.248 --> 00:02:07.748
What areas of your life are you seeking contentment outside of God?
00:02:07.748 --> 00:02:12.388
I think that's a good question because when we're seeking contentment outside
00:02:12.388 --> 00:02:20.548
of God, that can cause a lot of uneasy feelings, a lot of, when you, people, jealousy.
00:02:21.348 --> 00:02:25.988
Comparison, I mean, you only want what God wants you to have,
00:02:26.088 --> 00:02:31.368
but when we start seeking things that God doesn't want us to have, we become discontent.
00:02:31.568 --> 00:02:34.108
And that's another story, Right.
00:02:34.448 --> 00:02:39.428
So let's let's keep going here. But let's just read the scripture again.
00:02:39.588 --> 00:02:47.808
So we understand that Paul knew how to be in need, but he also knew how to have
00:02:47.808 --> 00:02:49.308
when he had to have plenty.
00:02:49.308 --> 00:02:54.348
He said, I've learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
00:02:54.668 --> 00:02:59.668
whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
00:02:59.908 --> 00:03:03.188
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
00:03:03.348 --> 00:03:08.868
He's saying God can give him strength if he has a lot. He can give him a strength if he had little.
00:03:09.128 --> 00:03:13.008
But he knew that his strength came from God in either way.
00:03:14.298 --> 00:03:19.198
Contentment is woven throughout Scripture, and we see it in the lives of those
00:03:19.198 --> 00:03:21.438
who trust it, God, completely.
00:03:21.858 --> 00:03:26.898
Let's go to Job, and we'll look at the widows of Zarephath.
00:03:28.038 --> 00:03:31.818
Job faith amid loss, Job 121.
00:03:32.078 --> 00:03:39.238
After Job lost everything, Job declared, the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.
00:03:39.638 --> 00:03:41.978
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
00:03:42.798 --> 00:03:49.658
True contentment comes from a heart that worships God, even in the lost.
00:03:50.578 --> 00:03:57.058
The widow of Zarephath, found in 1 Kings 17, 17, 12 through 16.
00:03:57.438 --> 00:04:02.318
The widow of Zarephath had only a handful of flour and a little oil,
00:04:02.598 --> 00:04:06.598
yet she obeyed Elijah's request to make bread.
00:04:06.958 --> 00:04:11.698
God provided for her household until the drought ended.
00:04:11.978 --> 00:04:18.998
Contentment grows when we trust God's provision in the face of scarcity.
00:04:19.438 --> 00:04:27.798
That's powerful. So we see here that Job trusted God after he lost everything.
00:04:28.218 --> 00:04:35.798
And we see here that the widow trusted God when she really, she could have just
00:04:35.798 --> 00:04:41.358
ate that and died, but she trusted God in the face of scarcity.
00:04:41.978 --> 00:04:46.978
So both of those can happen to any one of us at any point in our life.
00:04:47.218 --> 00:04:50.758
So where is our faith? Where is our contentment?
00:04:51.038 --> 00:04:57.318
Can we trust God when we have it all? Can we trust God when we don't have it all? That's powerful.
00:04:57.858 --> 00:04:59.518
Thank you for that reminder.
00:05:00.118 --> 00:05:05.218
The world tells us that contentment comes from having more, more success,
00:05:05.438 --> 00:05:07.938
money, or recognition. But scripture
00:05:07.938 --> 00:05:12.918
shows us that contentment comes from gratitude and reliance on God.
00:05:13.786 --> 00:05:19.886
But godliness without contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into
00:05:19.886 --> 00:05:25.986
the world and we can take nothing out of it, 1 Timothy 6-7.
00:05:26.146 --> 00:05:32.386
When we focus on what we have instead of what we lack, we begin to see God's
00:05:32.386 --> 00:05:34.486
blessings all around us.
00:05:34.906 --> 00:05:42.446
Gratitude shifts our perspectives and allows us to experience joy even in difficult seasons.
00:05:43.446 --> 00:05:49.886
Wow. Isn't that the truth? When we focus on what we have instead of what we
00:05:49.886 --> 00:05:54.766
lack, we begin to seek God's blessings all around us.
00:05:55.706 --> 00:06:05.666
Our gratitude will shift our perspective and allow us to experience joy even in difficult seasons.
00:06:05.666 --> 00:06:11.066
I think the world thinks you need to have three cars and three-bedroom house
00:06:11.066 --> 00:06:14.146
or five-bedroom house, 5,000 square footage, you know.
00:06:14.306 --> 00:06:21.526
But if you're thankful with what you have, that can go such a long ways in your
00:06:21.526 --> 00:06:24.066
heart and in your stress level. Come on now.
00:06:24.486 --> 00:06:29.586
So how do we find contentment in our everyday life? How do we do that?
00:06:30.206 --> 00:06:34.286
First of all, I would say turn off your Facebook page and stop looking at other
00:06:34.286 --> 00:06:36.966
people's stuff. We don't know if it's theirs or not, right?
00:06:37.226 --> 00:06:41.466
They could be renting those homes out or, you know, they could just be there
00:06:41.466 --> 00:06:44.746
visiting and be somebody else's home. We don't know.
00:06:44.986 --> 00:06:51.846
So how do we find contentment in our own life? Number one, practice daily gratitude.
00:06:52.526 --> 00:06:57.086
You know, when you wake up and you breathe and that's a new day, right?
00:06:57.646 --> 00:07:02.726
Start this day by thanking God for three specific blessings.
00:07:03.726 --> 00:07:08.146
Gratitude helps us focus on God's faithfulness.
00:07:09.346 --> 00:07:13.386
Number two, trust God's timing and provision.
00:07:14.306 --> 00:07:20.446
Philippians 4.19 says, And my God will meet all your needs according to the
00:07:20.446 --> 00:07:23.366
riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
00:07:23.806 --> 00:07:28.186
Trust that God knows what you need and when you need it.
00:07:28.826 --> 00:07:33.226
Isn't that the truth? he knows what you need and when you need it.
00:07:33.366 --> 00:07:36.666
He's always on time, always on time.
00:07:36.866 --> 00:07:40.386
He knows what you need and when you need it.
00:07:40.726 --> 00:07:44.366
He said that my God will meet all your needs.
00:07:44.986 --> 00:07:49.906
Amen. Go to number three here. Say shift your perspective.
00:07:50.146 --> 00:07:53.926
Instead of asking, why don't I have more?
00:07:54.286 --> 00:07:59.066
Ask, how can I use what I have for God's glory.
00:08:00.102 --> 00:08:07.982
Instead of asking, why don't I have more? Ask, how can I use what I have for God's glory?
00:08:08.722 --> 00:08:13.062
We see here, how can we find contentment in our daily life?
00:08:13.262 --> 00:08:20.722
We see gratitude, trusting in God's timing and provision, and then shifting your perspective.
00:08:21.802 --> 00:08:27.902
Asking, why don't I have more? To how can I use what I have for God's glory?
00:08:28.842 --> 00:08:35.302
So let's declare some truths together to cultivate a spirit of contentment.
00:08:35.542 --> 00:08:43.342
So I decree that I am content in every situation because my strength comes from Christ.
00:08:44.322 --> 00:08:52.702
I decree that I trust God to provide all my needs according to his riches in glory.
00:08:52.702 --> 00:09:02.102
I decree that my heart is filled with gratitude and I rejoice in God's faithfulness.
00:09:03.642 --> 00:09:11.142
Let's totally shift the perspective from gimme, gimme, gimme to thank you, thank you, Lord.
00:09:11.542 --> 00:09:15.662
This week, I want to encourage you to reflect on Philippians 4,
00:09:15.822 --> 00:09:21.802
12 to 13. take time to identify areas where you have been seeking contentment
00:09:21.802 --> 00:09:26.202
outside of God and surrender those areas to him.
00:09:27.542 --> 00:09:30.482
And you're just like, Lord, is that why that prayer ain't getting answered?
00:09:30.482 --> 00:09:34.982
Because it's not part of your plan or out of your timing, right?
00:09:36.022 --> 00:09:40.162
I always create a gratitude journal. Write down at least three things you're
00:09:40.162 --> 00:09:45.342
thankful for each day and watch how your perspective shifts.
00:09:46.502 --> 00:09:53.382
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I thank you for being our source in strength and peace.
00:09:53.622 --> 00:10:00.262
Teach us to find contentment in you alone, no matter what our circumstances.
00:10:00.762 --> 00:10:07.282
Help us to live with gratitude, trusting your provision and timing in every season of life.
00:10:07.582 --> 00:10:13.222
May we experience the joy that comes from resting in your promises.
00:10:14.262 --> 00:10:20.942
In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Diary of Black Women podcast.
00:10:21.422 --> 00:10:24.082
This message has encouraged you.
00:10:24.302 --> 00:10:29.482
Share with a friend and subscribe to the podcast for more inspiration.
00:10:29.902 --> 00:10:38.422
Until next time, stay content in Christ and let his peace guide your heart and be blessed.