Why has it taken so long for me to write this post?
It is not because I have been at my task of caring for Jerry. It is not because there are not enough hours in the day to witness of the Lord’s goodness ~ this is the reason I write.
Titles come so very easily, but the meat is not always simple to come by. We long to publish the truths of the Father’s kingdom, but it must come by experience. And so this is true of the subject matter of contentment and anxiety.
Growing up in an environment of anxiety stamps a person for life, until we encounter Christ and learn of Him.
Then, we are born and sealed with His Spirit of promise, sanctified, and set apart for His use.
But even as Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord, so we wrestle for the promises that are ours in Him. This wrestling is the work of the Holy Spirit within us, bringing us to know the promises through God’s Word, claiming them, and working through life with the two-edged sword to destroy the strongholds that have have been set up in our lives.
There is as much difference between contentment and anxiety as between day and night. The difference is as light and darkness; as good and evil. And each has its ownership and connotations. Books have been written, messages spoken and songs sung, and we could say more, but we post very simply today of how the Lord brings us from the anxiety of this life to contentment in Him.
The Source and the Fruit
Anxiety is the abnormal attitude of human beings; the seed thought of every man; flowing from the spring of unbelief.
“O, ye of little faith.”
“Yes, Lord, I hear you. I recognize your voice. I acknowledge my lack of faith.”
“Why do you doubt?”
“I have no excuse. My thoughts carry me where I do not want to go. They seem to have a power of their own.”
“Have I not proven that I love you and am able to provide all that you need?”
“Yes, Lord, I am guilty of forgetting you and your goodness when my thoughts wonder away from you. When times are difficult I am carried away by the moment. I am still learning to be content in every circumstance. I confess my sin, and ask that your Spirit keep me in your Word, to always remember your promises. Let me not dwell on the things of the world, and the power of the enemy. But let your Word be the source of my thoughts, to do its work. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and the contentment that is ours in you. Bear in and through me the fruit of your Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, temperance; the fruit of holiness, righteousness, truth, grace, and humility. Fill me with your fullness, so there is no room for doubt or fear, but only thoughts of you, your grace and your glory.”
Fran
image: Google
God's Grace ~ God's Glory! 
Thank you Fran.
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I echo David’s words—thank you Fran!
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I didn’t realize this until recently. Just one of those times we read something many times and then all the sudden the doors open. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, not fruits. So we can’t say we have one and not the other. It’s a package deal. But we have to do is realize we have them so we can use them anytime to come against whatever is not God
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Yes, return me to abiding.
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I needed this this week
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This fits so nicely with where I have been reading in John 15! How quickly I look away from my one Source of joy… How gracious He is not to let me wander far!
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Hi Fran, I agree and some days are better than others. It’s when I don’t feel like praying that I need to pray most. Abiding in Christ takes work and while I don’t fully comprehend the practical equation I do understand the necessity of staying close to Jesus and our Father through the working of the Holy Spirit. It is a series of choices and experiences of fellowship with God that eventually draws us closer, not only because we need to but ultimately because we want to. Blessings!
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Bruce, thank you for your comments. I am grateful that the Lord is faithful to keep us close to Him, even when we are not thinking of Him. He never leaves us, nor forsakes His children, but continues to lead us so tenderly and graciously in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
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I really needed this; thank you, Fran! ❤
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It is my pleasure to share how the Lord works in and through us.
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I’m with those guys, Fran. This was very timely. Work, and juggling everything has made me slip into some anxiety lately. This was good to read.
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Wally, I pray blessings for the Spirit of the Lord to quieten your soul, so that you may even enjoy your work, no matter how busy.
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Thank you Fran
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Powerful post…thanks.
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Thank you for this, Fran. On my bad days, when anxiety wins, I try to pray through it but it doesn’t always work. Perhaps your beautifully written prayer will be what I turn to next time. It is beautiful!
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Claire, we all experience these trying times. Contentment comes through many ages and stages as the Lord brings us to triumph over our fears and uncertainties. It is all His work in us. Praise is sometimes the greatest means of conquering those bad days. I pray the Lord’s blessings for you during those days.
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