The clock said 7:00 PM…

But her body felt like it was midnight.

She’d already worked eight hours.

Now she was sitting in a class that wouldn’t end until 9:30.

The professor turned on the projector.

Two words appeared on the screen:

Define Happiness…

She wasn’t feeling happy at the moment.

“The absence of stress in your life.”  she answered out loud.

“So, the professor said.  “The absence of stress is happiness?”

“Wrong answer,” she thought….

“Happiness,” the instructor replied, “is being content where you are and with what you have.”

“Let me get this straight,”  she thought…

“I’m temping in an unfamiliar job because I can’t find full time work.”

“I need to write ads for my fledgling online business that I’ve let slide to work on other things.”

“My finances aren’t in great shape.”

“I’ve been sick with a cold and sinus infection for three weeks…”

“I’m supposed to be happy and content where I am?”

Then it struck her, or rather the life of Paul struck her…

Paul was beaten, bruised, and bloodied, prosecuted, persecuted, chained, confined, criticized, flogged and forgotten…

Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  Philippians 4:11-12

She felt ashamed and very human.

She’s never been through any of the circumstances Paul suffered for Christ.

“For now,” she thought,  “I have a job.  Thank you, God.”

“For now, I can pay my bills.  Thank you, God.”

“I can advertise my business when I get home from work.  Thank you, God.”

“I have antibiotics to make me well.  Thank you, God.”

Paul was content in ALL circumstances…

…living a life of faith.

 Faith not in his circumstances…

Faith in God…

God, who has promised He will always be with us…

… be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5