Success is desired by all, yet success does not get to all. While many of us run towards good success, success runs actively after people that mix contentment with their perseverance. According to the book of 1 Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is a great gain.”; and moving on from there, we will be looking at Contentment with perseverance. In the book of Habakkuk 3:17-19, we see:
“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off in the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – Yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.”
Contentment therefore could be said to be “rejoicing in hope”. That is, each time a man chooses to be happy or joyful, not necessarily because of the present happenings; but because of an expected future event or experience, such a person is being contented. According to the book of 1 Timothy 6:6, that contentment when mixed with godliness is a great gain or worth or value. Hence, a contentment man or woman is a woman or man of great worth and value. His or her present notwithstanding, he or she carries a seed of greatness within.
Your results as at now may be below your efforts, but if you choose to rejoice in it, with great anticipation for a better tomorrow, you will be called contented by God.
In 1 Corinthians 2:9, the Bible says, “But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Our tomorrow is surely not like today, even as our today is bigger and better than our yesterday. The path of the just is as of a shining light that shines better unto the perfect day. Therefore, in anticipation of that perfect day, which is unique for each one of us, let us rejoice today, where we are, and with what we have: For soon, we shall see the substance of our joy. How do I know that?
In the book of Isaiah 45:2-3, the Bible says,
“I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.
I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by name, Am the God of Israel.”
God is surely faithful to fulfill His promises. The question then is, how can a man remain contented till his increase comes from the LORD? The secret of contentment is perseverance. Who says it will always be easy? However, in the midst of tough moments, we must remember that we are not alone, God is there with us, helping and hailing us unto victory.
In the book of Judges 8:4, the Bible says, “When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit.”
When live throws jabs on us, do we give up, or do press on. The story of Elijah and Elisha could be many things to many people; but among others, we know that Elisha had every reason to give up in his quest to succeed Elijah. In actual fact, Elijah told him to stay back (go back) three times. And as he advised Elisha to stay back, Elisha refused to throw in the towel. Eventually, he asked Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you before I go away?” You see, Elisha would have missed his inheritance if he had given up on hope. Rather, he kept rejoicing in hope, and he kept serving Elijah until he received double spirit of Elijah.
Good and lasting success does not just happen, neither does it fall on anyone’s lap like ripe oranges. Everyone that wants his or her own success to last long must first endure enough to receive it. Indeed, nothing good comes easy!
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