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“Being Grateful and Content”
“Be still, and know that I am God; …”
B. Michelle writes:
I’m here alone with my thoughts. Some thoughts can cause me to lose sleep, but tonight, in the stillness, my thoughts have come to take me to a place called freedom. I hear God saying, “Be still and know that I am God.” Sometimes, past midnight, clarity comes.
My heart ached. The pain that makes me feel like giving up and giving in to doing things my way. I complain to God because I should have what I want. I can learn more about God and myself with surrender, trust and waiting.
I wondered silently, how does God do what God does? It’s love, unconditional, unrestrained, and unencumbered.
God listens to me complain about my life and what’s bad about it. My heart hurts from the pain of being let down again and again.
Somewhere in the midst of my let downs are the great and mighty arms of God opening up for me to crawl in and surrender. As I became quiet within, God spoke and I listened.
Somewhere in my life, I turned my happiness over to others. If they just did what I wanted, acted right, did right by me, etc., I would be happy. Maybe we weren’t born to be happy.
Maybe we were born to learn how to be content and how to be whole within our spirit and connection with God.
Just maybe we were born to learn that true love is when we accept what God allows, and be thankful for the closed doors and broken places.
God loves us no matter what. I let God down today, was selfish today and yet God still loves me. God still loves us because God’s love is deep, perfect and holy.
God’s love does not depend on what I will do or won’t do. God’s love oozes out without delay, denial and dependence on anything or anyone else.
While I was alone (not really) past midnight, it became clear that if I yet love like God, I will be authentic, happy, whole, blessed, free, and content.
Freedom comes when I forgive and release people into the hands and heart of God. Stop complaining and live with gratitude. Gratefulness opens life up to a profound level.
Trust God past midnight and with the dawn of each new day. Feel the love that is yours and live.
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on March 14th, 2008 and filed under Hope, God's Love, Your Stories, Verses, Most Popular Stories.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Dear B. Michelle:
You say it so succinctly: “It’s love, unconditional, unrestrained, and unencumbered.”
I spontaneously react singing the Hymns in my heart: “Be still and know that I am God…I am the Lord that healeth thee.” And “Be still, my soul! The Lord is on thy side…In every change He faithful will remain….”
Life often can be like a stormy sea. But “HE rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Hush, be still,’ And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm” (Mark 4:39).
Truly when I trust in the Divne Presence and Power, without anxiety, “The Lord of hosts is with us” (Psalm 46:11). At the end of the day, I share in the bliss of living heaven here on earth.
Thank you, and
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:02 am
B. Michelle, thanks for sharing from your heart. You have a wonderful way with words!
The second-to-last paragraph really struck me. It rings so true. There are at least a couple people in my life whom I long to forgive at a deeper level … and I know I’ll experience more freedom as I forgive them more deeply. But it’s hard! And takes time (for me anyway).
And gratitude, wow, I feel like I’m just starting to understand and experience “gratitude” at a level that’s transformational. This is a very recent movement for me.
Anyway, thanks again, B. Michelle. Blessings to you!
March 15th, 2008 at 8:28 am
GOD has talk to me today with your words there are many people I need to let go and let GOD work on then, so I can move on to that deeper level you talk about.
Freedom within the LORD our GOD is that deeper level I understand.
Thank you and may the Mighty hands GOD hold you always, B.Michelle.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Responses to “Being Grateful and Content”
I read where it talked about being grateful and content that is so true at times when we go trough life and circumstances seem to get in the way yes that all we need is to be grateful and content thank you Iam encourage may your days be bless I enjoyed it
March 16th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
B. Michelle, As always insightful, exhorting and straight to the heart. Be encouraged as you encourage us all. Many blessings my sister and thank you!
March 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
B. Michelle,
What touched my spirit most, is when you spoke of
“trusting God past midnight and with the dawn of a new day”. It really boils down to putting our complete hope and confidence in an all-knowing, all powerful, ever present God, who loves us more than we can fully comprehend. We belong to a God who, Himself, was “despised and rejected” and “acquainted with grief”. He knows, full-well about our hurts, our pain, and our disappointments. As we go through the trials and tribulations of this life, we are sure to anchor ourselves in Christ and His promises, regardless of our feelings or our circumstances, knowing that He will “never leave us or forsake us” and that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:57 am
Michelle:
Thank you for sharing this with me. It came at a time in my life where I am questioning things about my own beliefs I was raised on, raising my two of my grandchildren and looking for answers. I of course didn’t find all my answers in this reading but it really help point me in the right direction. You really do have to forgive people and release them into the hands of the lord and look at all the good god has given to us instead of looking for more then we already have. Thank you.
March 25th, 2008 at 10:50 am
You have opened your heart to express your thoughts about God’s as well as your actions. I believe that this is the first route to healing as well as how we experience those attributes of God that we, who are hungry for God, long to feel. As you have articulated so well, these are also times we learn some things about ourselves that we rather not learn but in the end we see just how gracious God is towards us. Thanks for sharing you and God with us.
March 30th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
…no doubt you went clam digging, as did the Psalmist, and discovered the hidden pearls of Scriptures. Remember what Jesus rebuked us from doing, “…neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and [lacerate] you,” (Mt.7:6b). You have found the key to the Kingdom of heaven, and are seeing life with spiritual eyes, and living eternal life in the present, age abiding life, that can be lived by all believers, if they commit themselves to a Christ-like-life. I leave you with this profound truth, “…for I have learned, in whatever state I am, in this to be content.” (Phil.4:11b). Also, I rejoice in, “…the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death,” (Phil.3:10b).
Thanks, B. Michelle for your openness and your heart transforming spirit. May the Holy Spirit continues to illumnate you with His empowerment.
The Agape Fellowsip!
April 26th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Hello, what a blessing! I came across your story as I searched the web for stories on contentment, while preparing to preach a sermon on contentment. What a moving and refreshing testimony. God bless you.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Hi Sister,
I just came across the e-mail for the story you had been asking me had I read. I must say that I had been missing out on some awsome words from God through you. Maybe if I had been paying more attention to my e-mails your words could have been in my heart and mind. Your words content and being grateful are things I am continuing to work on daily. I am thankful to have a wonderful women of God as my sister in my life.
Continue to let God use you to minister.