Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Philippians 4:12)
I remember it well. It was the year 1978 when I was first bit by the fashion bug. With a sister five years older than myself, I witnessed all the crazy fashion trends of the 70’s: coolots, hip huggers, bell bottom pants, and psychedelic patterns. Then it happened. I became sick with envy each time I saw someone wearing them. CLOGS.
I just had to have them. And of course it seemed like I was the only one who didn’t have a pair. “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” (Proverbs 14:30).
Every time I went to the mall there they were, perched in the store widow, begging me to take them home. The chocolate brown open heeled shoes with leather uppers sported a two-inch platform heel. Just the boost I needed to elongate my 5 ft. 2 inch frame. There was only one thing standing in my way of taking them home—money.
At $24.99, I couldn’t afford them. It was a small fortune to a teen with no steady source of income. So I did the only thing I could do. I saved up months of allowance and babysitting money until I was able to afford them. Unfortunately, by the time I made the purchase the fashion trend was on its way out. Such is life.
Looking back, I’m grateful that my parents didn’t indulge us kids in every fad that came our way. New was only purchased after the old had either been worn out or outgrown. If we wanted something special, we had to purchase it ourselves. Through this principle we learned the value of a dollar and usually thought long and hard before shelling out our own hard earned money to make a purchase. Later, my husband and I passed this same lesson on to our own children, much to their chagrin.
I still get tempted to satisfy the longings of my heart. I see something and want it now. In some ways the temptation is more challenging because, as an adult, I often have the means to indulge myself.
As I mature in my walk with God, I’m learning to say no to myself more and more. God is teaching me to find contentment in any and every situation, whether I have a little or a lot.
“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Through Christ we can overcome our “gotta have it now” flesh response and find true and lasting contentment regardless of our finances, cravings, or circumstances. We simply need to remember that “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8)
