Good morning,

Our devotion for today comes from Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, in this to be content." 

Wherever you are today, meditate on this; at some time or other, we have all experienced feelings of frustration ranging from mild to intense.  For some people, these feelings are merely a minor irritation, while others are driven wild by them.  In either case, people sense that there is a barrier between them and what they wnat to accomplish.  It may have to do with a marriage, a business, or even something mechanical, but in every case, we feel that we are being prevented from genuine accomplishment of some kind.
    

When beset by frustration, we often look at our circumstances and find ourselves saying, "If only.." if only I had this or that, if only he or she would change, if only this hadn't happened, if only I had good health...such thinking leads to discouragement because it centers on externals that we cannot change. 

We need to remember that circumstances and people are not the problem.  They only trigger something deep within that comes from hidden root causes.  One such root could be our failure to really accept ourselves the way God made us.  Or it could be that we are running from childhood mistakes or sins that have never been faced.  Another root cause could be a failure to deal with the will of God for our lives in the present.
    

Whatever the case, we must realize that rearranging the circumstances of our lives cannot bring about internal peace.  Only a transformed heart will provide that.  God alone can give you a quiet heart and the peace that passes all human understanding. (Philippians 4:7)  

Have a blessed content day!

Your brother in Christ,
J. H. Flakes, III