..for it is God who is working in youuu

"I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content -- whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:12-13

I'll be the first to say I am pretty hard to please. In a world where getting getting getting is number one in most peoples' lives, it's hard to remember why we're here and what this whole life thing is all about. Lately I've been reading some of Paul's letters. Today I read Philippians, and it strikes me over and over and over how incredibly at peace and content with his situation (which was being imprisoned at least 4 times and put to death by the Romans for his faith) he is. You never read about Paul complaining to his people about being in jail, being hungry or tired. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 7:4, he even goes so far to say that he is overjoyed. "I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement. I am filled with joy in all our afflictions." If you were in jail, hungry, surrounded by people that hated you because of what you believe, and wrongly accused, do you think you would be happy? Ehhhh, probably not. Paul's undying faith and contentment would of been a HUGE boost of confidence for me if I had been one receiving his letters. I mean.. geez! He says in verse 11 of chapter 4 of Philippians, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Contentment.. in any situation..

Confidence - trust or faith in a person or thing; a trusting relationship.

holy moly, it's been a while. haha. I just have a little something to say.

2 Corinthians 7:4 - I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged. In all our troubles, my joy knows no bounds.

Julie Armstrong gave me this verse this week to kind of focus on. This book is from Paul writing to the church at Corinth, but I found myself reading this verse a little differently. This verse, although written to Corinth, made me stop and think. Lately I've had some trouble with confidence. (don't act like it hasn't happened to you). Mostly in basketball. The other night the thought occured to me, hey Jo, maybe you ought to pray about it. So I did. I fell asleep praying. The next day Julie gave me this verse, and although it's from Paul and not exactly in the context of my situation, it made me think "hey, if Paul felt this towards the Corinthians, how much more does GOD feel it for ME? I mean, God cares 100909850293847 times more about people than we ever could, so doesn't that mean God must have a whole lot of confidence in us? In me? It's kind of nice to think about how much God really does love us and how much he's rooting for us. He's just up there saying Jo, I'm right here. I made you in my image, and I'm here to help you. I have confidence in you.