I’ll Be Happy When…

Leon FontaineDevoted

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13 (AMPC)

Have you ever fallen into the trap of “I’ll be happy when…”? Sometimes we think that contentment is just out of reach; we’ll have it when we land the right job, pay off that debt, or finally find the spouse of our dreams. We keep assuming that joy is only found in the absence of problems.

The trouble is, as long as we are breathing, we’re going to face problems. We don’t need to live a fairy tale life to have joy. Joy is something we cultivate through our relationship with God.

The apostle Paul understood this well. He said: “I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty” (Philippians 4:11-12, MSG).

How did Paul manage to be content in all circumstances? The answer is in today’s verse: he was infused with inner strength in Christ!

If you have given your life to Jesus, you also have this inner strength in Christ. You can choose to exercise joy in the midst of the circumstances of life. While I’m not saying that you will always be happy about every circumstance you face, this deep joy is available within you always, ever ready to bring you the strength you need to walk through difficult times, maintaining your peace with an attitude of gratitude regarding all the good things God has provided you in your life.