Day 18

 No sugar or dairy

Do you feel like the seasons are moving faster than you can keep up? Do you feel a burden in doing good? Are you growing weary? The Bible addresses this dilemma–

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up,” Galatians 6:9. “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good,” 2 Thessalonians 3:13.

I think part of not growing weary is experiencing contentment as we do good.

The Apostle Paul certainly had every reason to grow weary from doing good. Just read the amount of adversities he experienced in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Yet, he is a model of “contentment” from whom all generations can learn.

In Living the Proverbs, Charles Swindoll penned three specific ways to cultivate a contented heart from the life of the Apostle Paul:

First – Paul actively looked for God’s working in every circumstance (Phil.1:12-14).

My response to the Lord: Show me how you can use my present circumstances for good.

Second – He thanked God for what he had rather than complaining about what he lacked (Phil. 1:3, 7; 4:11-12).

My response to the Lord: Give me a heart of gratitude for what I have. (Be specific; name five things you are most grateful for.)

Third – He treasured relationships above material provisions (Phil. 4:17).

My response to the Lord: Help me experience the value of relationships like never before.

Truly, the Apostle Paul was a model servant of the Lord!

What has God called you to model?