Situations can make us feel trapped. We want to change things but our circumstances keep us from being able to make those changes. Maybe we want to go to university, but we can’t afford it. Or maybe we want to change jobs, but feel trapped by the fear of losing our salary. Perhaps it’s an illness that prevents us from doing things we want to do. While we can’t always change our situations, the thing we can always change is our attitude. Paul certainly faced his fair share of challenging situations, but he was able to say: ‘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’ (Philippians 4:12 NIV). And what was this secret? ‘I can do all this through him who gives me strength’ (v. 13 NIV). Situations can be tough and we can feel a whole range of emotions while going through them but God gives us the strength to keep going. We’re also called to remain thankful through what we’re facing. ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). This is really hard, but with God’s strength we can have a thankful attitude, no matter what we’re facing. We know that God’s plan is best for us and that He can turn all circumstances round and bring good from them (Romans 8:28). So when we can’t change our situation, let’s change our attitude.

What now?
Is there a situation you’re in that you can’t change? Write down 10 good things about the situation (maybe think about things you’re learning from it).