Today, it is hot enough outside to melt a lizard! Even so, my husband had to work outside in this scorching heat all day, while I finished up the week’s errands, driving place to place in a van with a malfunctioning air conditioner. By the time we came home, we were both wilted and exhausted from the sweltering attack on our bodies.

Thankfully, the air conditioning does work in our home. This is one of the blessings that I try not to take for granted and thank God for often. Do we NEED the air conditioning? No, but it sure is a comfort during seasons of great heat.

Speaking of seasons, I am often amused at how fickle we humans can be. Once we are hit with the sultry days of summer, we wish for winter. Then, when winter days become a little too frigid, we long for summer. And so it goes for many areas of our lives: When we are young we wish to be older; when we are old, we long for youth. When we have little, we wish for much; when we have much, we long for simplicity, and etc.

The apostle Paul was surely no different than you and I in the beginning of his life. Towards the end, however, having matured spiritually, he began to see things from a whole new perspective, knowing that this life –with all its intricacies- is only temporal. Thus, through time and experience, he

“…learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [saying] 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 this through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:11-13

Dear reader, no matter which of life’s challenges has caused you to feel wilted and exhausted;  I pray that you find comfort in Paul’s words. We truly can learn to be content in all circumstances, knowing with full confidence that the Lord Jesus will help us and give us the strength to make it through. He is a always our greatest comfort during seasons of great heat.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  –John 14:18