The Bible clearly teaches us to "be content" no
matter what our circumstances are. In Philippians 4:11, Paul said, "I have
learned in whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content." The
Amplified Bible describes being content as "satisfied
to the point where you are not disturbed or disquieted". It
doesn't say satisfied to the point where you don't want change, but satisfied
for now until God brings the change. Philippians 4:6-7 sheds more light in this area
by saying, "Have no anxiety about anything, but in all things by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, continue to let God know what you
want", and verse 7 "the peace that passes understanding
shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus". Allow me to
paraphrase these 
Being thankful from the heart is necessary for the receiving
of God's continued favours in our lives. Then verse 7 says after this:
1. Have no anxiety or care,
2. Tell God your need, and
3. Be thankful.
Then you will have tremendous peace and contentment no
matter what state you are in while you are waiting for God to work out His will
in your life.
Let us not forget Romans 8:28 that says, "All things
work together and are fitting into a plan for good to those who love God and
are called according to His purpose." Even the hard times
can work into God's perfect plan for your life. Cast your care, and be a
thankful person. Take inventory each day of what you have instead of counting
up all the things that you have not. Meditate on what God has done in your life
instead of what you are still waiting on Him to do. Your flesh wants you to
concentrate on what you don't have. Your spirit wants you to ask God for what
you don't have, yet concentrate on what you do have.
John 14:27 (Amplified) says, "Stop
allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; do not permit yourselves to
be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled." Jesus
left us a legacy of peace, and He wants us to use it. I have discovered through
years of experience, many of these years spent in frustration and
discontentment, that the secret of being content is to ask God for what I want,
and know that "if it is right" He will bring it to pass "at the
right time," and if it isn't right, God will do something much better than
what I asked for anyway. We must learn to trust God completely if we ever
intend to enjoy peaceful living. It is good to trust God for something, but God
is calling His people not only to trust Him "for something," but to
trust Him "in everything."
In Genesis 50:20, Joseph, speaking to his brothers who
had severely mistreated him, said "As for you, you thought evil against
me; but God meant it for good." The very things we think are awful right
now, very often can turn out to be a great blessing. The greatest trial can
develop in you the greatest faith. God spoke this to my heart a while ago:
"Joyce, you see to the end of your nose (which isn't very far), and you
assume that anything that doesn't feel good isn't good. But I see from
beginning to end because I am The Beginning and The End, and I know many things
you don't know." We know in part. God is "The All'.
Exercise doesn't feel good, but it is good. When a
rebellious child receives a spanking, it doesn't feel good, but it
is good. Hebrews 12 teaches us that no chastening for
the present seems joyous but grievous, nevertheless, later on it yields the
peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Perhaps
we need to learn to be more concerned with later on than with right now.
Hebrews 12 also says that for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the
cross, despising the shame, but He is now seated at the right hand of God.
Let's be willing to endure for a season, if it will seat us at His right hand
of authority and power.
In conclusion, let me say that the sum of the whole matter
is this: Trust God! Hide yourself in the secret place (in Him). God
loves you. He is a good God who only does good things. Be content knowing that
His way is perfect, and He brings with Him a great recompense of reward for
those who trust in Him.
Culled from Joyce Mayer Ministries Inc.