Contentment has been on my mind a lot lately. But in the last three weeks, God has placed it front and center and through a number of “God Winks” letting me know that it was time to share. The most recent being a sermon at our “home away from home” church in VA. The Pastor is in the middle of a series on contentment. And my daughter and I happened to make a trip to VA this very weekend. See what I mean? When God wants to convict you of something, He will.
Over the past year, I’ve found myself feeling restless, unsettled, and certainly anything but content. I was grateful for God’s provision, and I thanked Him for my blessings. And I meant it. But if I am being completely honest with myself and you, I never reached the intimate level of contentment to which God calls me. I never felt really satisfied.
I think that’s the perfect word to describe where we are without contentment. We are never satisfied.
We may be grateful for what we have. But we want more. We aren’t satisfied.
We may be grateful for a roof over our head. But we wish it looked different. Was bigger. Was smaller. Had new carpet. We aren’t satisfied.
We may be grateful for our family. But we wish our spouse would remember to put toilet paper on the roll or our kids would pick up their rooms without prompting. We aren’t satisfied.
We may be grateful for our ability to pay our bills and have money left over for fun. But we wish we had a little more so we could take that dream vacation or get that new carpet. We aren’t satisfied.
We aren’t satisfied. We are not content. In other words, what God has supplied isn’t enough or isn’t right. Yeah. Let that sink in for a minute.
Sending my daughter to college was difficult. I missed her so much and my house changed in ways I didn’t like. It was too quiet. I missed her laugh, her presence. Taking care of my aging father challenged my time and my emotions. Wishing I could move to another state but feeling stuck where I am made me feel unsettled in my home and community. None of these circumstances were devastating. In fact, they are just seasons of a normal life. But in my self-centered focus, they separated me from the God who supplies all and knows all and wishes only for me to rely on Him that I may achieve contentment and the joy that goes with it. Right where He has me.
Most Christians and many non-believers have heard Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength.” We memorize that verse to get us through difficult times. We hang it on our walls, send it to our children, encourage our friends with it. And most of the time, I think we completely miss the point of that verse. Because what comes before matters and context is critical.
Philippians 4:10-13 says, “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 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.”
Paul wrote these words likely from Rome while under house arrest. He was falsely accused and awaiting possible execution. The impetus for the letter was to thank the Philippian church for sending a financial gift to him. There are several parts of this scripture that get overlooked as we cling to “I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength.” Because that’s fun. It infers we get something and have power to make things happen.
However, in verse 10, Paul says, “…you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” In studying this passage, several commentaries suggest that for whatever reason, the church at Philippi hadn’t sent any provision to Paul previously. They prayed for him and loved him. But they didn’t provide for him. Paul isn’t chastising them; rather he uses this opportunity to remind them of a critical fact of our Christian walk. We look to God for provision, not man.
Continue to v. 11-12: “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.
Note that Paul says, “I have learned to be content.” Phew! So, this wasn’t something that came naturally or easily to Paul. He learned this behavior. He learned this mindset. That means we can also learn. Paul took the challenges of his life and the blessings of his life, and he used them as stepping stones to a reliance on God no matter the circumstances. One of the biggest challenges I face, and I suspect many of you do as well, is not reacting to circumstances. Not allowing what is happening around us – good or bad – to determine our reliance on God.
It is easy to try to control or fix situations that are difficult for us or our loved ones. It is easier to pull out the emotional duct tape and try to patch up the holes in our perfect life than to trust God that those holes let in His light. It is easy to forget about God when things are going great and credit ourselves with the fruits of our labors. We forget that the very gifts that allow us to enjoy success, fulfillment, and joy, come from God.
Paul chooses to use this moment of provision from the Church to let them know that while he appreciates their financial support, he doesn’t need it. He has the deep-seeded contentment of a lover of Christ who knows that all that he needs will be provided to him. Not all he wants. All he needs. And that is more than enough. Oh, that it would be enough for us.
The well known verse 13: “I can do all things in Him who gives me strength,” is often translated as I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. But the original text is the Greek preposition “in” which shows a personal, living relationship with Christ. It isn’t something Christ gives you but that you have because He is IN you. And the verb tense is present – meaning God’s gift of His strength every moment of every day. But we have to be in relationship with Him. We have to be in service to Him.
We have to stop treating Him like a super hero who rescues us we are hurting. A magician who heals us when we are sick. And an afterthought when life is good.
Contentment is trusting God at the very core of your being. It is touching the Holy Spirit, who lives in every Christian who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is breathing the life of Jesus into every aspect of our being. It is knowing that no matter what is happening in our lives or around us, we can be content in knowing that our God already knew this would happen. Our God already had a plan for it. And our God is prepared to use it for your good and His glory.
Contentment can be learned. It starts with a heart that loves Jesus. Ears that hear the gentle song of a savior. Eyes that see the love and provision of God in the darkest nights and the most beautiful sunrises. It is a life dedicated to serving a God who wants nothing more than to give you all that He has planned for you.
Be honest, what areas of your life could use a little more contentment? Talk with Jesus and plan for how you can learn to find true contentment. And maybe memorize all of Philippians 4:10-13. Because what comes before matters.
This week’s prayer: https://simplyjoy.online/prayers/trust/teach-me-to-be-content/
I am humbled by this blog on contentment. It is both timely and clear. I am grateful for your transparency of vulnerability. God bless you!