What Can I Learn?

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What Can I Learn?

Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”

Dear Kids,

I wish I could be like her! These words sometimes float across my mind when I am feeling down on myself. I look at some of the weak areas of my life, compare them to a strong point in someone else’s life, and wish that I could be different. When it comes to character qualities it is easy to imagine that you were just not born with the ability to think in certain ways. But I believe this is just an excuse.

Though we each come into the world with certain personality traits, we have the ability, with God’s help, to grow in the areas that we are weak. This is confirmed by a statement that the Apostle Paul made in Philippians 4.

It is easy, when you read Paul’s writings, to think that he always had things dialed in. Once he came to know Jesus he knew all the answers, he was courageous in the midst of deep trials, and always had the right attitude. But in today’s verse Paul states that he learned to be content in all circumstances. This was not an attitude he was born with. He learned it.

If we could read deeper, I believe we would find that much of the way Paul acted and many of his attitudes were because of things he learned. His heart was open to what God wanted and he was willing to allow His Creator to do a work in his heart, changing him completely into the man God wanted – a man fit for mighty service to His King.

Often we get confused and think our tendencies dictate how we live our life’s path. In reality, though, they are simply the way we think. They are our natural bent, our default way of responding to the world’s stimuli.

This is why the Bible puts such a heavy emphasis on being transformed by the renewing of our minds. God wants us to use the tendencies he has given us, but he wants us to use them for good, not for an excuse. And He doesn’t leave us to fend for ourselves in this matter. He changes us into new creations by giving us His divine power – a power that grants us everything necessary for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

While I will never become exactly like someone else (after all, God created me uniquely), I do have the ability to learn and grow in the areas in which I am weak. I can learn to change the way I think just like the Apostle Paul did.

In what areas do you need to grow? If there is something in your attitude that is not pleasing to God, remember it is not just the way you are, it’s the way you think. Ask God to help you learn how to become more like Him. He’s able and ready to begin!

Love,

Mama

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Hi, I'm Sandy! 

I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.

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