Learning to be Content in Every Situation

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

I was having a discussion with my business coach the other day. We reflected on my goals and passions. I am passionate and committed to informing people about how they can change laws and policies, hold politicians accountable and influence governance decisions. I have written and talked about this extensively and had many discussions with key institutions.

I have reached one of my goals and will be embarking on something new and exciting. I feel confident about this as I have received a word from the Holy Spirit, who will be with me, counselling and guiding me. This is promising.

My coach asked, why am I not rejoicing and celebrating. I considered my response. I realized and responded that I had learned to be content in every situation.

I continued my reflection on my happy and difficult experiences. I must confess, I doubt that in my times of prosperity, I prayed as earnestly as I have in my times of desperation. It is probably because I was too busy enjoying the blessings. Not that I was ungrateful. Just distracted by the joy of it. These were beautiful experiences; I cherish them and look forward to more seasons of this kind.

But, if God was going to transform me into his image, I would need to be desperate and vulnerable. To reach that point, I would need to be broken, isolated and humbled. The valleys, deserts and wildernesses created the environment for me to become moldable. The painful process…

In and during these seasons, I reflect and meditate on the Word. I am also guided and comforted by the ever-present Holy Spirit. I like to study biblical characters that went through difficult times. Particularly, if the circumstances were like mine.

In the book of Ruth, Naomi lost her husband and sons. All hope was lost for her, and she wanted to be called Mara (meaning “bitter” in Hebrew). This was a description of the bitter misfortune that had befallen her.

Ruth could have left but she stayed with Naomi. Ruth was a Moabite. Torah law does not allow Moabites to enter the Jewish community. Moving with Naomi to Bethlehem meant that she would have had to endure a lifetime of scorn.

They struggled tremendously. Ruth had to work the fields to provide for them.

God ensured that Naomi had a companion and provided for her through Ruth. Ruth became a daughter to Naomi and Naomi a mother to Ruth. God restored both and Ruth, a Moabite, is in the lineage of Jesus. Ruth ended owning the field she worked and gleaned. I was encouraged as what seemed hopeless and dreadful was turned into a beautiful story.

Job was a difficult story to read because of the questions it raised. The questions I asked myself time and time again. Why do terrible things happen to good people?

It is mentioned in the Bible, that there was a discussion in the spiritual realm between God and satan. God boast about Job as his honorable servant. Satan accuses Job of being faithful to God only because God protects and provides for him. If God were to remove his protection and provision, Job would curse God. God gives satan permission to inflict harm on Job.

Job lost his children, and all his wealth. He’s health was severely impacted. Job was brought low and humbled. Job’s response was:

“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

I am encouraged by Job’s faithfulness to the Lord. The Lord restored Job’s prosperity and doubled his former possessions (Job 42:10).

I enjoyed reading about the Prophet Elijah because Elijah did what God asked him. God isolated Elijah in the desert by a river. Elijah did not have food with him. God instructed the ravens to feed him. The river dried up eventually. God instructed a widow to help him. When Elijah approached the widow. She informed him that she had a little flour and water. She was preparing a last meal for her and her son. After which they would die. There was a drought in Israel at the time. However, because she was obedient, the little flour lasted them until it rained again. I am encouraged as God was always present in Elijah’s situation.

There were times when I felt frustrated, isolated, stuck, and prevented from moving. It felt as if a hand was against me. I could not understand why. But, these times are necessary for God to perform the transformation and to go before and prepare the way.

This of course does not stop me from questioning the God. Why am a struggling when I am doing his work? But God did provide. My struggle had more to do with my inner turmoil of letting go and trusting God’s timing and provision.

I continued to work, follow my passion, follow my calling and follow the Holy Spirit in pursuing God. It may have felt like it, but I did not die as I had dreaded. Come to think of it, the old me did die to give way to a new me.

This is how I walk through my wilderness, valley, and desert experiences. Meditating on the Word, guided and comforted by the ever-present Holy Spirit. Developing the fruits of the Spirit and teaching me to be content in every situation. There are times when I become weary, impatient, and frustrated. But I can always go to the source to be refreshed and find peace.

This probably explains why I am not going overboard in celebrating reaching a goal. Although, I am grateful and enthusiastic, I think I have learned to be content in whatever season I find myself in. Whether it is working with poor or wealthy clients.

Seasons change, they come and go. I cannot only be happy in prosperity. I must learn to be happy in lack as well, as these are not the things that bring will me joy, but rather the joy of the Lord, which is my strength and sustains me.

Zelna Jansen is a board member of BE THE CHANGE.

BE THE CHANGE is community organization that aims to inspire people to be the change they want to see in their communities and have people look inward to see what they can do to make a difference or be that change agent in their communities.

Zelna Jansen is also the Executive Director of Zelna Jansen Consultancy, a lobbying and advocacy firm with the aim of bringing people together to find solutions and helping people to have a more effective conversations with their law- and policymakers.

She is an admitted attorney of the High Court, with an especially keen interest in public policy, trade law and constitutional law. She has a Bachelor of Arts (prelaw), a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Commerce degree specializing in trade law and policy. Through her volunteerism in leading roles in several organizations she actively engages the community and social spirit necessary to uplift many in South Africa today. This includes writing opinion editorials, news and radio interviews and educational workshops with community organizations and schools on how to conduct advocacy on law and policy reform.