MENTALITY AND STABILITY

Paul the apostle wrote the following words in his letter to the church in Philippi: 

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (ch4, v12)

Can we truly say the same about ourselves?

For many of us, it’s either we know how to be abased but not how to abound, or the other way round: we can abound but can hardly be abased.

Some people handle good times well but turn into ruthless monsters or pathetically bitter souls when things go south or awry.

These are fair-weather folks who can only survive or be joyful when things are all rosy and dandy.

They don’t know how to be abased.

Conversely, there are some people who can handle tough times well but lose their footing and balance when things begin to go north or very well.

They don’t know how to abound.

Many times, it’s the pøverty mentality that we have been conditioned to which makes us know how to abase but not know how to abound. 

People can be conditioned to and comfortable with lack and scarcity that abundance makes them visibly cringe in fear or trepidation. 

They are uncomfortable with wealth.

Some see wealth as evíl and poverty as piety.

Many people may find it easier to walk in holiness and humility when they are broke but great wealth will greatly tempt the lustful, fleshly or vain desires.

By extension, it’s easier for many to fast and pray when there is little or no food available to eat. 

Or, one may more easily or readily spend several hours studying Scripture if one is unemployed.

However, as we mature spiritually, we gain stability in whatever situation we are faced with, as we get an upgrade in our mentality—a mindset reset.

That’s the point of this post.

It takes true humility and true gratitude to learn how to be abased and how to abound—with peace, love, joy, contentment, graciousness and generosity.

Paul ends his personal testimony by pointing to or highlighting the source of this spiritual capacity.

How am I able to do all of these things?

“Through Christ who strengthens me.”

His personal connection to the Lord.

May we find grace to walk in this light.

Selah and Shalom! 

#doziesdiaries #spiritualgrowth #capacity #maturity #stability #strength #selahsayings