Have you ever met someone who was conflicted with their lack of progress or purpose in life? There's a good chance that because of some setbacks, they've settled for less than God's best. It's very likely this person will become a victim who is full of contempt. They are angry.

And every conversation with them is about life's unfair circumstances. What happened to them? Instead of learning the how and why of being content, they settled. That is, for less than God's best. They've become bitter instead of better.

When you trust God and believe in His biblical promises for you, through faith you will find peace and contentment. Contentment is not settling for less than God's best. It's trusting God to lead you into His best for you. Life (stuff) happens and contentment is how God calls us to respond to life's troubling circumstances. 

Be Content

When we are content, we're acknowledging that God's got this.

Somewhere along your journey, you will experience some unsettling circumstances. The kind of circumstances that can shake you to the bone. The type of trouble that will leave you with a question mark for a brain. 

You may cry out to God, "Lord, how could you allow this?"

• The death of a loved one.
• Divorce.
• Loss of a job or a business.
• Unfair circumstances.
• Financial ruin.
• Sickness and disease.
• A shattered relationship.
• Betrayal.
• An unfair setback.
• Serial failure.

I've often said we are always in one of three life stages. 

1. In a crisis.
2. Coming out of a crisis.
3. Or unbeknownst to you, though everything looks great, you're heading right for a crisis.

The trouble with trouble is that it is inevitable. During a particular crisis in my life, I can remember reading the following scripture for the first time and thinking, "what an idiot!"

James 1:2-4 NIV - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I know that's not very reverent but I couldn't understand at the time why someone would consider it pure joy when bad things happen to them. Since that time God has shown me that when He allows trouble into my life, He will actually use the storm to blow me into position for His promotion.

Test and trials lead to perseverance and perseverance lead to success.  Now I understand why the Apostle Paul could write the following while he was experiencing life's storms, in prison.

Philippians 4:11-13 AMP - Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Though Paul was experiencing tough times, He knew the secret of contentment. He knew that regardless of his circumstances, he could still do everything that God had called him to do. Nothing was impossible for him, the trouble was temporary.

He was experiencing the peace and faith of contentment.

Never Settle

I tend to end most of my emails with this ...

God is in it to win it — with you,
Gerald Duran, CanaGlobal Founder

Why? Because when you know God's plan and purpose for your life, the specific seasons and assignments from Him, you can be assured that he created you to succeed in your calling.

1 Corinthians 9:24 AMP - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!

In this life, you will have setbacks and they are rarely fun. But know this, while satan has a plot to get you to settle for less than God's plan and purpose for your life, God has a plan to prosper you.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

When God was preparing Joshua to go after the promised land, Jericho, He assured Joshua that He would give him the land which He promised Moses. (read Joshua 1) 

Over and over God instructed him to be strong and courageous, to not be discouraged, that He would never leave him or forsake him. For Joshua to keep God's Word (His promises) on his lips. And that if He did, Joshua would be prosperous and successful.

This was God's promise to Joshua and it's God's promise to us. Joshua's assignment was to take God's people into the promised land. To take territory. To succeed and to be prosperous.

These three truths have totally transformed my life:

1. That God has a specific plan and purpose for my life. This includes seasons and specific assignments from God. (CanaGobal is one of my assignments)
2. Trusting God to reveal what I need to know and for God to establish my steps.
3. That nothing can stop God's plan and purpose for my life, EXCEPT ME, should I decide not to participate in it.

Many times in my life the setbacks have seemed so final, but time after time, faith after faith, I have simply made the choice to trust God and His 6000 plus biblical promises to me. I declared  God's promises to my mountains and eventually they had no choice but to move.

Know Your Purpose

If you feel like you have settled for less than God's best for your life, ask God to give you the wisdom, understanding and knowledge (know-how) to identify His plan and purpose for your life. This is His best-life for you. It's what He created you to do.

In my book HisPlan MyPlan, I layout ten biblical secrets to identifying and fulfilling God's plan and purpose for you.

When you understand your calling, everything becomes possible to fulfill your God-Planted dreams. 

Learn how to be content, but never settle.

-Gerald

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