The Secret of Contentment

What if I told you that it is possible to have strength for every circumstance? What if I told you that it is possible to be content wherever you may be? Would you believe me? I ran into this scripture this morning:

“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 everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13

Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while he was in jail. We also know that up until this time he had suffered a variety of setbacks, a couple of stonings, and a shipwreck. He was left for dead on numerous occasions, and his countrymen repeatedly turned their backs on him. And yet…he had found a “secret”. He had found a way to keep bitterness and resentment out of his heart. He had found a way to sleep at night. He was able to write and encourage the churches God had entrusted to him. He was content in every situation he found himself in. But how? 

He learned how to keep his eyes on the Lord. Being knocked off his ass certainly got his attention. But that’s not the only thing he learned.

Verse 13 tells us that we can do everything through him who gives us strength. Through Him. Through Christ. In order to experience the strength that Christ gives, we must be found in Him…do everything THROUGH Him. So, what does that look like in the natural?

Basically it means that Paul decided that he would fully identify with Christ and His resurrection. He got a revelation in his heart that we are “seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). He knew that God no longer looked at his sin and his failings, but He looked upon Jesus and saw us sitting there as well. Pure. Holy. Undefiled. Forgiven. Full of good works. Blessed. More than conquerors!

Once we understand who we are in Christ, and understand God’s great love for us, everything begins to change. We have the confidence to approach God because sin no longer has a hold on us…just like it no longer has a hold on Jesus. Because we are in Christ we have the ability to pull from His strength. We don’t have to rely on our own resources, because His resources are unlimited. Because you belong to Christ you have favor with the Father you didn’t have before you became a believer.

Your faith activates His favor.

Faith is coming into God’s presence with your hands outstretched, expecting them to be filled with what you need. He actually rewards those who make it their mission to earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Paul knew this secret. He knew that he could not give what he did not have, and he expected the Lord to give him physical and emotional strength, and wisdom, and revelation for the churches. And God did just that. Paul did not allow his circumstances to determine the extent of how God could use him, or allow his situation to determine what he could receive from the Lord. He was content in the knowledge that God himself would give him everything he needed to meet the demands of the day…the week…the month…the year. God encouraged him to not get tired in doing the right thing, because it would pay off in more ways than what Paul could EVER imagine. We’re still reaping the good consequences of his decisions today.

Expect the favor of God on your life. Remember that no prayer is too small…no request too insignificant that He hasn’t already positioned Himself to hear and bless you in extraordinary ways. Expect unusual strength to come when you’re at the end of your own resources. And as you put your trust in Him…expect contentment. 

Sometimes he's just waiting for us to get out of the way so He can work through us.