It has been a hard week. Truthfully, it has been a hard year. Even more truthfully, I can't really remember when life wasn't hard - at least a little. But as hard as things have been, I have to say, "I have everything I need!"
I could mean this from a worldly and material perspective. There isn't anything that I really need at this point that I don't have, but we have been in the position - and not so long ago - where we had to rely on help from others to meet some of our needs. It can be frightening and ever so humbling to have to depend upon the good will of other people, but it teaches so much. Without a time of being needy myself, I am not sure that I would be so generous. Had I not experienced a bit of desparation, I wonder if I would be as compassionate. Because I have personally suffered and benefited from the encouragement of godly people, I am quick to encourage others who are discouraged.
I could also mean this from a spiritual perspective. Paul said, in Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." I have everything I need because all I really need is Him. Just a few short verses later, Paul said, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19). How He will supply them is up to Him and I am certain that is part of the plan.
If I think I have a physical need, but God knows that what I really need is to learn to trust, He will meet that physical need in such a way that meets the Spiritual need even more. We may think we need something material right now, but if God knows we need to learn to depend on Him more, He may have us wait on the physical need to help us learn to depend. Sometimes He will met a need through other godly people simply so that we will learn a lesson about love and encouragement.
Life is hard! It is full of trouble - and why are we surprised about this? Jesus said, ""I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) I believe Him! I know He has overcome the world because I have that peace that He describes. I can have a hard week - a hard month - a hard year - and more, because I have learned the secret to being content and at peace! I have everything I need.
