No, I have learned in whatever condition I am, to be independent of circumstances. I am schooled to bear the depths of poverty; I am schooled to bear abundance. In life as a whole, and all its circumstances, I have mastered the secret of living – how to be the same amidst repletion and starvation, amidst abundance and privation. I am equal to every lot through the help of Him who gives me inward strength. (Philippians 4:11 A.S.Way Translation).
The less we are ruled by circumstances, the more spiritually mature we are. Babies whine and cry when they don’t get their way. And as we mature, we learn to handle conflict and difficulty without complaint, and we learn how to go with the flow. That’s not easy if we’re mostly motivated by the flesh.
Real spirituality is allowing the Word to rule us from the inside out. Being Word conscious keeps us from being circumstance led. Walking in the spirit keeps us from yielding to the flesh. And walking in the spirit is really allowing the word to gain the rule over our minds, emotions, and will.
The human spirit is amazing. It is capable of being developed just as a bodybuilder develops his muscles. The first step of course is the new birth. Then, we must begin the process of renewing our minds with the word of God.
Then, we must make the decision to believe and act like God’s word is true throughout the day instead of giving in to the negative of harsh circumstances and letting them get the advantage over us. We learn to refuse to allow emotions to control us.
So a spiritually mature person can be full of joy when needs seem to be unmet, when outward circumstances are cutting and difficult. That’s because he’s not allowing outward things to control him, he’s letting his human spirit through the word govern his responses. This should be the goal of our Christian life.
When you live this way, everyday is an adventure. The above verse has been like a special friend to me over the years. This is one of my goals in life, to get to the point that nothing moves me. Hard places become testimonies to the grace and faithfulness of God. They become places to prove that the Word of God is true.
Uncomfortable circumstances become a challenge that must be overcome; much like a mountain climber must conquer that foreboding height. Challenges become an inspiration to succeed.
Life is a school. We’re learning to live as Jesus lived when we refuse to be stopped by outward conditions. Let’s be independent of circumstances and dependent on God’s Word today. Let’s grow up!