Life is full of ups and downs. Most often we feel painful because we cannot accept what has befallen us, and are unhappy with the situations that we are in. We do not understand why our prayers are not answered, why things have not changed as we hope for, and why such bad things have happened to us. Thus we live in annoyance and pain.

Paul says, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Paul could be contented in whatever circumstances and situations. This is a horizon that every Christian can attain.

"Content" is a kind of inner peace and satisfaction, a state of rest. And this feeling of peace and satisfaction can be unrestricted by the situations. "In whatever situation I am to be content" (v.11) "In any and every circumstances I have learned the secret." (v12) And these include abundance and need, smooth and rough. In all situations we can keep our inner peace and take things calmly.

You may not be facing a good situation now. But I need to tell you, what you are experiencing is not accidental. It has God's permission. You are precious in the eyes of God, and even yours hairs have been counted. Without God's permission, not even one hair on your head can be harmed.

We do not need to resist every encounters of our life. We need to resist Satan and all the powers that would take away our joy. But this does not mean that we have to resist the encounters God has measured to us. We have to learn to accept them submissively, and take things as they come.

There is no need to wait till things go well and be happy. No! You can be happy right now! It is written, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice1" Do not let any person or any situation to take away your happiness. You may not be able to choose your situation, but you can choose to be happy.

No matter what difficulties you are facing, and what tribulations you are encountering, you can entrust your problems to God, and say to Him, "Dear God, I trust in you. I know that you are in control of my life. Nothing that befalls me is accidental; all that happens to me is under your permission. I would not again waste my energy to resist whatever that you have measured to me. Dear Lord, I have decided to take things as they come, and be happy in my present situation."

It is written, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." In whatever circumstances, all you need is inner peace and rest. If you are living under stress and worry, God cannot fight for you. This is a very important spiritual principle: God can only fight for you when you have inner peace and rest, and only then can you have strength and be saved."

Returning to rest means that, when you are in difficulties, you still trust in God and believe that God cares about you. Returning to rest means that, even though you do not understand why you are facing such a bad situation, you can still accept it as it is. Returning to rest means that, even though you dreams have not been fulfilled, you are still not disappointed. In another words, returning to rest means that you can accept whatever that has befallen you and take things calmy.

Why could Paul take things as they come? His secret is in verse 13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." The secret is in relying on God.

Why can we have peace and content when relying on God in whatever situations?

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, forthose who are called according to his purpose.
We believe that God is in control of everything. Whatever that happens to me with His permission comes with His blessing for my own good. This is our secret for taking things as they come.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God's thoughts are higher than your thoughts. What you consider bad, God can turn it into blessings. What you consider good, in God it may be a curse. What you understand is indeed very limited, but God has the best planning. Therefore we trust in God and not in situations.

When God closes one door, He will certainly open up another. If God does not answer in the way you pray for, He is preparing a better way for you. Jeremiah says, God's plans for us are plans for welfare and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope.

Take things as they come, and continue to trust in God and wait for the Lord. Say to yourself: "I have decided to keep my inner rest. I don't want to have worries. I don't allow anyone or anything to take away the joy that God has given me. I will forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, believing that God has prepared the best things for me. It is okay! Be at ease!"

God says, "It is okay! Be at ease!"

Take Things as They Come