contentment

I recently purchased the book "Keep a Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I would highly recommend. It's insightful, challenging, encouraging, and relevant for any stage of life. I ran across the following passage about complaining and contentment that I haven't been able to get out of my head.

May ours be the spirit of the 17 year-old Lady Jane Grey, who prayed this prayer in her prison cell before she was executed in 1554:

O merciful God, be Thou unto me
A strong Tower of defense
I humbly entreat Thee.
Give me grace to await thy leisure,
And patiently to bear
What Thou doest unto me;
Nothing doubting or mistrusting
Thy goodness towards me;
For Thou knowest what is good for me
Better than I do.
Therefore do with me in all things
What Thou wilt;
Only arm me, I beseech Thee,
With Thine armor,
That I may stand fast;
Above all things taking to me
The shield of faith;
Praying always that I may
Refer myself wholly to Thy will,
Abiding Thy pleasure, and comforting myself
In those troubles which it shall please Thee
To send me, seeing such troubles are
Profitable for me; and I am
Assuredly persuaded that all Thou doest
Cannot but be well, and unto Thee
Be all honor and glory. Amen.

This is so convicting to me and makes me wonder, if I was about to be out-rightly persecuted would I be so strong as to consider "such troubles profitable?" I want to fear my Lord that much.