Not that I speak in
regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I
know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned
both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.
Philippians 4:11-13
As of Friday morning my cycle was 4 days late. I knew that if we made it past that day, we
could take “The Test” and hopefully after six long years see a miracle arrive
in our lives. By lunch I knew there
would be no need to test this month. I
shared with my co-worker that this late cycle for me is like buying a lottery
ticket when you hear the prize is $1 billion (it happens about as often). It’s fun to think about, hope for, even pray
for (I can tell you that Indiana would not have to worry about children stuck
as wards of the state if I ever did win a billion dollars!), but you know the
odds are stacked against you. It’s
simple statistics. That is how Friday
went, so I closed my office door toward the end of the day and cried when I
could no longer hold back the sadness.
The most amazing thing always happens though. I can never cry very long because I think of
my husband that loves me, my two adorable cats that are waiting at home for me,
my beautiful home that provides shelter, and most importantly, my Savior who
died my sinner’s death so I can have eternal life. My Savior provides contentment in whatever
state I am and allows me to do ALL things through Him.
I can tell you that this is not easy and the key to success
is in verse 13. With that, it makes me
think of a saying you hear frequently that is completely false, so don’t
believe it! It is, “God won’t give you
anything you can’t handle.” You see, we
are weak, sinful humans. I can honestly
tell you that infertility is more than I can handle. Being downsized from a job I loved is more
than I could handle. Keeping my mouth
shut when I’m angry is more than I can handle.
However, here I am; handling all of these things. How?
Verse 13: I can do ALL things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me! Through Christ’s strength, I can stand
and not my own! When you’re in that
valley and you don’t see the end of it, make sure you have invited Christ to
walk that valley with you. His strength
will pull you through and even provide you contentment along the way.
