Content with Circumstances

In chapter 2 of the bible study we looked at our circumstances in life and how we handle them. Most of us can categorize our lives in both positive and negative ways. Both lists are true, but the focus of each list is different. Which list do we spend the majority of our time dwelling on????
"Two women looked through prison bars
One saw mud, the other saw stars."
Every women at some point in their life will feel as if their circumstances feel like they are in prison. Each of us has a choice about how we look at life: We can focus on the mud or lift our eyes and see the stars. God wants you and me to learn to be content in our circumstances, not when they improve.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lively, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Philippians 4:6-8
Our thought life-not our circumstances-determines whether we are content. Our thought life-not our friends, husband, children, job, or anything else-determines our contentment! So we need to put into practice what Paul instructs in Philippians:
1. Choose to give our anxieties to God
2. Choose to pray specifically
3. Choose to be thankful
4. Choose to dwell on the positive
Now that is a lot easier said than done but I pray that I will focus on the stars instead of the mud because I know who my Creator is and He loves me through the mountain tops and the valleys!