By Anja Meyer
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
As this is the first devotion I have written, I thought I would write a little introduction about myself.
I live in England, but I come from South Africa. All our family is in South Africa, and I miss them terribly! England is cold, gloomy and wet. What a contrast to the hot, sunny outdoor lifestyle I grew up with! Everything in England is small — the houses, gardens and roads. With six children and a large van to transport them, I often long for the wide South African roads, comfortable houses, and huge gardens.
Homeschooling these same children is quite the task! It is exhausting and never having a break is probably the most tiresome thing for mum. I recently lost my unborn son and my dear mum in close succession. These were the hardest things I have had to go through on this earth so far. I felt I still wanted so many years and memories with them!
Did this quick bio leave a heaviness and even an unpleasantness in your heart?
Did it convey feelings of depression and negativity? It was all true, but the way I used my words caused discontentment instead of bringing glory to the LORD. Let me try again.
My family and I come from South Africa, but we have a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord in England. What a joy to be involved in the publishing and distribution of Hebrew Scriptures! I am thankful that we get to see my family about every other year, and enjoy wonderful holidays with them in sunny South Africa. The weather in England is quite mild, so we do not have tons of snow like mainland Europe.
The Lord has blessed us with six children, a dependable van, beautiful house, and larger-than-average garden for them to enjoy. It is such a privilege to be able to spend all day with these children, teaching them and training these hearts who look up to me and love me without restrictions. While exhausting at times, the Lord is faithful to provide the strength I need. I also have a precious son with the Lord! I cannot wait to meet him in Heaven and spend eternity with him serving our wonderful Saviour. My dear mum recently also went to be with the Lord. I am so thankful for the wonderful mum I had, and all that she taught me to be a good wife and mother. I am looking forward to seeing her again someday too! It is my prayer that these words brought encouragement, hope, and honor to the LORD.
It is all true too, the flip side of the coin, simply stated from a different perspective — contentment.
Our words bring out certain things in our own hearts, but also in the hearts of those who hear us. In my case, it is mostly my husband and children that hear my words. Will they feel joy and be encouraged in their walk with the Lord when they daily hear my words? Will my words bring them hope and build their faith? As a wife and mother, your words will determine the atmosphere of your home.
The old hymn, “Count Your Blessings,” often comes to my mind. It reminds us to count our blessings, to name them one by one. The Lord is so, so good to us. We should focus on these blessings. We should think about these, but more importantly, we should speak about them.
It really boils down to contentment. When you are content, it will bubble out of your heart in your words to bless others and build their contentment.
Philippians 4:11 says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” I Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Ask the LORD to work contentment in your heart. Determine to use words of contentment even if you do not feel like it. Get an accountability partner to gently indicate to you when your usage of words moves away from contentment. And be encouraged, dear sister: Philippians 4:19-20, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
(For further reading and studying on this topic, I highly recommend Ephesians 5, where it mentions giving thanks in both verse 4 and verse 20.)
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