PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11).
Contentment is a difficult thing to attain. Even the hero of faith, the apostle Paul, had to learn to be content. This was not something he was born with.
Paul states that he was content in any circumstance, which is quite amazing. He was imprisoned in Rome at the time of this writing. He appealed to the highest court of the time, Caesar himself, after being accused of instigating revolt against the state, treason, and other serious crimes. He had to wait for his case to be heard since he had no friends in high office. Paul had every right to be irritated and unhappy. Instead, we find him writing to the Philippians to say that he had learned to be content.
How did he learn that? Even in tough circumstances, he went step by step until he was satisfied. He learned to embrace whatever happened to him and to accept whatever assistance he could get from his fellow Christians. And most importantly, he realised that God provided everything he needed.
People are not born with contentment. We are enslaved by a competitive spirit that drives us to confront, grumble, and covet. Few of us endure difficulties like that of Paul, yet we all face obstacles that might teach us to trust God and be content.
At the end of the day, contentment does not imply having everything, but it does imply being grateful for what we have.
🙏🏼 O Lord, Help us to be content in You and with what You have given us. May we not be focused on what our flesh wants or the world tells us we should have.
