Do you struggle to find contentment in your life? We’ve all heard about the age old line about the grass being greener elsewhere. But sadly people often find out after they’ve tried it, after they’ve broken up a marriage or moved house or changed job or whatever it might be that is causing their discontent, that this is not the case. A simpler solution rather than chasing new experiences is to learn to be content in the situation we are in, which often appears easier said than done.
So how can you find contentment? Is it even possible? The apostle Paul believed it was not an impossible dream but an achievable reality. He tells us in Philippians 4:11 he has learned the secret of being content. Whether in hard times or good, he had learned contentment, Philippians 4:12.
Wouldn’t you like to know his secret? He gives us the secret in verse 13. ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ Paul knows that whatever situation he is the Lord is the one in control and the One who will see him though. Therefore he can be content because the Lord is in control.
Paul is by no means downplaying his affliction. But he has seen how God has provided for him through the faithful Philippians and the gifts they sent. Such were their gifts that Paul could declare he had received ‘an abundance.’
In return he wants to share with them and us the secret of contentment. Paul declares, ‘my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus,’Philippians4:19. In other words all that Paul has done is in Christ, all he was doing was in Christ, and all he would do was in Christ. The same can be true for us, if we are fully committed to Jesus. All we have done is in Christ, all we are doing is in Christ, and all we will do is in Christ.
If we want to know the secret of contentment and peace, it is in Jesus Christ. It’s important we don’t accept any substitute for the peace that Christ gives, John 14:27.
Bible Verses from the New American Standard Version
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