I think most people want nothing more in this life than to be happy, satisfied, and content.  They want a life filled with joy.  And, really, I don't think there is anything wrong with that.  It's probably God-given, which means it will take God to fulfill those desires.

I'd liken life to sitting down to a meal at your favoritie restaurant, only to be disappointed.  It goes something like this.  We have certain expectations when we decide that we'd like to dine at our favorite dining establishment.  In our minds, we most likely have decided ahead of time what we'd like to eat.  Our taste buds begin to water in anticipation.  Our tummies, growling already from hunger, can't wait for that first bite to be chewed, then swallowed.  We have, esstentially, set up this desire in our minds that extends to other parts of our bodies, and we expect to satisfy it with our favorite selection from the menu.  Then, the disaster strikes!  Maybe that selection is not available today.  Then again, maybe we do get what we order but it is not as satisfying as we thought it would be because it wasn't cooked right.  Or maybe we put too high of an expectation on what we hoped to experience.  We are confronted with feelings of anger (so we refuse to even eat!), disappointment, frustration, or even resentment towards the wait staff or the restaurant itself.  We are let down and vow to never eat there again.

Unfortunately, we set ourselves up like this everyday, and not for want of a good meal at our favored restaurant.  We tend to put expectations on our husbands, our kids, our church, and who knows what else.  The thought is that if the people in our lives meet our expectations for them, then we'll be happy.  We can feel as if all is right in our lives.  If all goes as we plan for it to, then we can be joyful.  It's our way of thinking that life is good only when things are going our way and turn out according to our own plans.

The truth is we anticipate from others and situations in our lives that which only Jesus can provide.  That is, contentment and joy.  Anticipation is simply the visualization of a future event or state.  Ask yourself this question:  how many times have I visualized a situation in my mind and worked out how it should turn out? 

I have had a hard time learning that joy, happiness, and contentment do not come from the attitudes and actions of people, nor do I receive these things from the when my life turns out right.  This is where I am having to learn to let Jesus be enough.  Just because my husband doesn't meet my expectations, just because school isn't going like I think it should doesn't mean that I have to be unhappy.  I can have joy, no matter what is happening! 

Just what does it mean for Jesus to be enough?  Webster's says to be enough is to be sufficient.  In other words, to meet the needs of a situation or a proposed end.  What is the situation and the proposed end?  For most of us, I think the situation would our lives and the proposed end would be for said lives to be satisfying, joyful, peaceful, & contented.  But, there is only one source for that.  Jesus.

Jesus is enough to meet our needs.  He can and He will!  He is sufficient.  He is fitted for a given purpose, which was to come to this earth to die for our sins in order that He might fill that void left by sin.  Colossians 2:10 says that we are complete in Him.  This means we were once only a shell.  Now we are not only filled up with Him, but fulfilled in Him.  We are full where once we were empty.  We are now perfect.  There is nothing we lack in life to be satisfied, content, and full of joy. 

Not only that, but He came to give life and to give it abundantly (John 10:10).  Before He was crucified, He promised to send another comforter to dwell with us and in us (John 14:16).  The most wonderful thing about that promise is that He said He would not leave us comfortless.  This literally means He would not leave us parentless or fatherless.  The word comfortless comes from the word orphan!  That is comforting in itself, don't you think?  If we really, really took God's at His word, shouldn't we be content just knowing He is always there for us, no matter what?

The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11 that he had learned to be content in whatever state he found himself to be in.  He knew that no matter the situation, whether it was hunger, want, fullness, or need, he could be satisfied.  But that's not the end of it.  It also means to limit (oneself) in requirements, desires, or actions.  Though this definition comes from Webster's, I don't think it out of the question to apply it to what Paul says.  If Paul was content in hunger, do you think he sought to find food?  If God supplied his every need, do you think Paul worried about having too much?  I don' think so.  I believe he was satisfied and gratified with his situation.  Contentment required that he put an end to any doubt or uncertainty that might tend to rise in his heart and mind.

Hebrews 13:5 admonishes us to let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.  Why?  Because he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  Furthermore, the Lord is my helper.  How comforting to know that we can be content with what we have and where we are because God is always with us.  He never leaves us to our own devises when trouble comes.  He is our helper!  We do not have to go it alone.  Whatever we need to make it through, He is there to meet that need.

Dear reader, no matter your life circumstances, no matter your need, Jesus is enough.  But it is up to you to live that out.  When life isn't going how you think it should, don't take your eyes off the Saviour.  He is your helper.  Be content with Him and in Him. 

Until next time,

Julia

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