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Habakkuk 3:17-19, Psalms 34:1-4, 103:1-6, Philippians 4:11

Satisfaction and contentment in a person often come when they have all the blessings and joy of life they are searching and working to attain. In other words, they are saying, “Their cup is full” and contentment floods their life. However, God knows best that often we need to have things “taken away” to have what He desires to be in our life. Therefore, it takes times of struggle and problems to “prune” some things from the believer’s life, and unneeded things and people must be stripped away. It is during these times that the “fleshly” part wonders if there can ever be happiness again. However, as one waits in the presence of God and meditates in the Bible they eventually realize they can do without that which has been stripped away. God knows when one’s joy is focused on the wrong things or people, His children must be “pruned” from the wrong people and things. This pruning often hurts and causes frustration but the follower of Christ is being freed from that which gives only temporary contentment and real joy. So, maybe in counting one’s blessings, they should count that which God has allowed to be taken from their life.

Prayer: God, forgive me for being frustrated with Your work in and on my life to do what You know is best.

Project: List the people and things God is now “pruning” from your life and how His work is making you better.