For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

Philippians 4:11

Arrested at least three times. Imprisoned also.

Shipwrecked twice.

Stoned by an angry crowd to the point that they thought he was dead and drug his body outside the city walls to rot.

Lashed 39 times in 5 different sessions, always just one lash less than the number it took to kill for a total of 195 stripes.

And still, despite all these trials and traumatic experiences the Apostle Paul penned these words to the believers at Philippi:

“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 Christ who gives me strength.”
(Philippians 4:11-13)

Precious Heavenly Father, thank you, thank you, thank you for the example of the Apostle Paul. I cannot imagine the hardships he endured, the physical suffering he survived. Forgive me Lord for the times when I am discontent, when I allow my circumstances to darken my mood.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.”

How Paul? What’s the secret?

Simply this, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”.

Read it again. “Through Christ who gives me strength.”

Notice Paul doesn’t say, “I can do all things through being better than others” or “I can do all things by being better than I was yesterday”.

I mean, if anyone had an excuse to look at someone else’s life and wish they had a life like that, it’s Paul. But Paul didn’t compare his lot in life to others and he didn’t compete with others for a better lot.

He simply praised God wherever he was.

He consistently pointed others to God wherever he was.

Dear heart, if we ever hope to be more content, we have to learn to be less prone to compare ourselves to others or compete with others. We have to learn that we can do all things – whatever lot we receive – all things through Christ who gives us strength.

Beloved, if this season has the seed of discontentment springing up in your heart, I implore you, do not let it grow. Mark it with a bright red flag in your mind’s eye and describe it in full to the Master Gardener. Ask Him to dig everything that has you feeling discontent out by the roots and to give you strength to endure the digging. Trust in His strength and lean on His understanding and experience greater contentment for it.

You can experience contentment!

Do not delay!

A day can come when you proclaim: I have learned, in whatever state I’m in, to be content!