Growing up & learning how to be humble and content in any situation

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about just growing up...and how fast time has gone by. God has been becoming so real to me the past two years, it's incredible. I haven't noticed until now how much He's challenged me to grow both in the real-life sense and spiritual sense. For example, starting small groups with the roomies at UOP was such a step of faith, but we did it, and we took risks, and God was faithful. Like always. Now, I'm looking at everyone starting new chapters around me, including myself, and it's hard to comprehend it all. For one thing, why was God so gracious to me in this entire situation? There are so many people that I care about out there that have struggles that keep them up at night, or worry them throughout the day, just like me. Except for their situations are way different. They have to worry about things that I will never have to. And sometimes, I'm not sure how to feel or what to say, because in the end, those people might feel hurt or feel like I'm complaining about my situation too much. Kind of like "You don't even realize what you have, why are you so depressed or worried?" I've been asking God why it has to be like this? I mean obviously everyone goes through different situations in life. We all have triumphs and failures at different degrees, which makes it hard to sympathize with others when you can't quite understand their situation. It's really a matter of putting yourself in their shoes. Trying to understand what you would be like if you were them.

It's really awesome when God answers your prayers, and rewards you for your faithfulness and perseverance. However, I do confess that I am prideful and arrogant, about myself, my situation, my past/future. How stupid is that? I mean, I don't deserve anything I have right now. Also, I am no better than my neighbor because sin is sin, as the Bible says, and I have no right to ever brag about my love for God, or the things I have achieved because none of it is from me or my capabilities. It's a constant struggle, for every human being, to be able to recognize their inabilities, and their weakness and frailty. The book Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney is really a great read because it goes through the basics of humility. Things we already know but get blinded by all the time are brought up in this book. I hope to keep rereading that book to remind myself of how much God hates the proud. As I enter dental school, I want God to continually remind me of my weakness. For some reason, that usually means breaking me down, putting me through tough situations, giving me bad grades here and there, to make sure that I'm constantly turning to Him for help. I'm not trying to do this on my own! The only way I can get through the next 4 years is through the help and grace and mercy of my Lord Jesus Christ. Even my parents, as much as they say or do, cannot bring me through.

Nevertheless, God tells us to always rejoice and to be content.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.   {Philippians 4:11-13}

This means, even if someone is doing better than us, has more than us, seems perfect or always "lucky" doesn't mean that we have the right to complain or be bitter. God gives us exactly what we need and exactly what He thinks we deserve.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. {1 Thess. 5:16-18}

This is the least that the Almighty God deserves. The Bible doesn't say rejoice only when you get an A on your test. It doesn't say to pray only when we need Jesus to heal us. And it says that no matter what we are going through, that we must first give thanks. Quite frankly, it could always be a lot worse. We were never put through the immense suffering that Jesus Christ did when he was nailed to the cross. Our purpose is to glorify God, and our mission is to spread the gospel. That is my goal for the next 4 years of my life. May all that I say and do be pleasing to our Father, because in the end, He is all that matters.