A Focus On Him

Contentment – Happy Together

Photo and writing by Lillian Cucuzza

In March 2022, I took a photo of my husband, Dave, sitting peacefully on the patio floor with his beloved Miss Kitty by his side as they enjoyed each other’s company. Dave was released from the hospital two weeks earlier after having surgery on his legs for coronary artery disease. We didn’t know it at the time, but it was the calm before the heart health storm that continues to this day. Despite what was lurking inside his body, Dave and Miss Kitty were content to be with each other, resting side-by-side, happy together, without a care in the world, completely at peace.

I’ve since edited the photo, adding textures and posterizing it to create this final emotional piece of photo art. The photo depicts rest, peace, serenity, happiness, contentment, and spending quiet time with a loved one. It’s a metaphor for the peace, serenity, and happiness experienced by spending quiet time with God and being content by His side, no matter what.

The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians about the secret of having peace and being content regardless of the circumstance.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-13 NIV).

Paul acknowledged that no matter the situation, good or bad, we are to always rejoice in God our Savior. Being anxious and worried is selfcentered and counterproductive, causes great distress, and impairs us from effectively spreading the gospel. Anxiety and prayer are two opposing forces, but thanksgiving, along with prayer and petition, is the antidote to worry.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Paul also understood the influence our thoughts have on our lives. Our thoughts determine our feelings, speech, and actions. We must be very careful what we choose to think about, taking every thought captive. Instead of constantly thinking about the bad or negative things going on in our lives, we should concentrate on what is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy so that the God of peace will be with us.

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

Paul recognized that no matter what he had or didn’t have, the secret of being content was having a personal relationship and being in union with Jesus

CONCENTRATE ON WHAT IS NOBLE, RIGHT, PURE, LOVELY, ADMIRABLE, EXCELLENT, OR PRAISEWORTHY SO THAT THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH US.

Christ, who was the source of Paul’s strength. When Paul endured much pain with a thorn in his side, Jesus told him, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10 NIV). Paul knew that Jesus is enough, and when you have Him, you have everything. After that, for Christ’s sake, Paul boasted and delighted in weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties because he knew that when he was weak, he was strong because of Christ in him. Paul’s weakness was the ideal opportunity for the display of divine power. What a great example for us to follow.

In the last year and a half, Dave has been through a medical hurricane due to heart issues. Yet, we are both learning the secret of having peace and being content whatever the circumstance. He does not complain in his weakness because it allows Christ’s divine power to shine through him to be a witness to all. He can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. It draws Dave closer to Jesus, content to rest by His side, happy together, without worries, and completely at peace.

Lillian’s passions are nature photography and serving God. She is a best-selling author, award-winning photographer, and a regular contributor to Voice of Truth magazine. Lillian uses her photography and writing talents to glorify and honor God for His beautiful creation.

Visit, like, and follow her websites: www.HisCreationsLLC.com, www.LillianCucuzzaPhotography.com, Facebook and Instagram @HISCreationsLLC, or email her at Lillian.HisCreations@gmail.com