Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. – Philippians 4:11, Amplified Bible (AMP)

I remember clearly the first time I encountered the phrase, “You can’t always get what you want.”

There was this girl in high school that I absolutely adored. She was beautiful, popular, and a cheerleader. I was everything such a young lady would NOT find attractive. Nevertheless, scared to death as I was, I worked up the courage to ask her out. She was very sweet in telling me, “No thanks!”, and we remained friends thereafter. Later, at the end of the year, when it was time for everyone to sign everyone else’s yearbook, she wrote a nice little goodbye message that ended with, “You can’t always get what you want.” She didn’t write that phrase to be mean, nor did I take it as such. She wrote it as a friend giving advice to a friend, and since that day I’ve encountered several situations in life that have reminded me, “You can’t always get what you want.”

It is inevitable. There will be things we want in life that we will not be able to have – at least not for now. We may want a house or a car that we cannot afford. We may want more leisure time. We may want someone to love us who never will. Or, we may want out of a certain, painful situation – IMMEDIATELY! Only time will tell if we’ll someday get what we want, but for now we don’t have what we want. When faced with such disheartening circumstances, what are we to do? Trust.

I never cease to be amazed by Joseph.* Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, unjustly accused of attempted rape, and left to rot in jail even after helping Pharaoh’s butler understand his dream, Joseph had every right to complain. But the Bible never records Joseph complaining. It only records him serving faithfully and patiently within the circumstances in which he found himself. He apparently had no ambitions. He seemingly had no lifelong goals. He simply, humbly did the best job he could for the people in authority over him, and God rewarded his faithfulness time and time again.

Paul articulates Joseph’s approach to life in Philippians 4:11. In Philippians 4:13, Paul states how to live that life. We can’t be content in our own power. We must let God enable us, through His power, to be content. But before God will fill us with His power, we must first entrust our wants, desires, and passions to Him. Only then will we make room for the Holy Spirit to fully fill our hearts and minds. Until then, our human will – and the discontent that comes with not having our way – will continue to crowd out His heavenly will, joy, and peace.

Want to have joy in your heart and in your mind when you can’t have what you want? Trust. Learn the art of committing your way to The Lord. When you roll and repose each care of your load on Him, then He will bring to your life His joy and His peace, no matter what your circumstances.

* See Genesis 37-50 for a full picture of Joseph’s struggles and triumphs.