The secret of being content

Philippians 4:11-13 New Century Version (NCV)
“I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens. I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens, when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have more than I need and when I do not have enough. I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.”

My mom and I were talking yesterday about how most of the time we live thinking that if we only had (fill in the blank), our lives would be perfect. For me, I get tricked into thinking that if I only had good health, I would always be happy and never have a care in the world. Yet there are so many people who are completely healthy and completely miserable at the same time, or people who die having accumulated wealth but no relationships. The scripture above says that the secret of being happy no matter what is not my health, money, career, accomplishments, looks, etc., but it’s the strength and encouragement I get from my relationship with God.

Another scripture that supports this idea is Mark 8:36-37 in the New Living Translation:
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

I do hope and believe I will have much improved health as a result of this transplant, but no matter what may come, I know contentment is possible :).