Joy Through Contentment

[hldude33]

“Joy Through Contentment”
By Zach Wood
Philippians 4:11-13
“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 everything through him who gives me strength."

I can’t tell you how many times throughout my life that I have read through these verses and not really given them any deeper thought other than thinking that Jesus gives me strength to do whatever it is I need to do. While that’s true, there’s something far deeper here than that.

Paul is one of the most powerful and influential people we find in Scripture, especially the New Testament. He goes from the extreme of murdering Christians to boldly proclaiming the name of Christ everywhere he went. Talk about a life change! What I find most appealing about Paul is how strength didn’t just come naturally to him.

One word here really sums this whole passage up, “learned”. As strong and bold as Paul was, there was so much learning he had to do before he became content. That’s a big word for us these days, “content”. Who is content? Are you? You may quickly mutter “yes”, but I would caution you before doing so. Look at your life and what you have and what you don’t have. Are you satisfied and happy with what God has given you even if there are some things you’d like to have, but don’t have now?

Paul really learned how to be content, whether he had much or very little. But that didn’t come easy. He had to learn through some very rough times. It’s all a part of learning and growing. None of us are perfect about it. However, if we continue to learn and grow and base our joy and strength on God and not what the world offers, we will truly learn how the Lord becomes our only source of joy and strength.

We all certainly need to learn how to be content, no matter the circumstances. I know I do! Being content is a daily struggle for me and I’m sure it’s for you all as well. For Paul, the joy of the Lord certainly became his strength. He was content, but it was only after years of growing through good and difficult times. We must learn and grow to be content with whatever we have or whatever we don’t have. The joy of the Lord should be our strength and we should be content with what He’s given to us.

 

[Born_Again]

You're right. It is learned.. It takes great strength to be content in any situation. It means being at peace. If you have embraced the Holy Spirit, the peace is already in you. You just need to have the strength to find that peace. If you are turly in Christ, Christ in you, then you have that contentment, that peace because you believe the word of God, that He is with you and He will carry you. It means you trust in the Lord.

Psalm 55:22
"Cast your troubles upon the Eternal; His care is unceasing! He will not allow His righteous to be shaken."

BAM!!!!! Good Post, hldude!

 

[Enquirer]

@ hldude ...

Contentment can be learned in a few ways;

1) A Deliberate Quality Decision.

A quality decision that I'm not going to try and copy the Jones family next door. I think one of the biggest hindrances here is pride.
I say to myself, it's ok if he just bought a new truck or if his wife just redid her kitchen units or went on a cruise to the Bahamas.
Also overcoming the need to be caught up in the "games" of our peers through the sense of belonging through possessions is a major
deal for many people.
If I don't keep up with so and so then I'm going to look either poor, cheap or behind the times.
This is a powerful motivator to get caught up.
You almost feel like being ostracised from the community or friends or family if you don't.
This is almost like co-dependency in a relationship ... a sense of under-developed self esteem, which relies upon others for happiness.
So I'm not going to be happy if I'm not accepted and acceptance is through my possessions.
And believe me this happens even the church.

Here is where we draw the line in the sand. We resist pride, and co-dependency/acceptance and give it the left foot of fellowship, cheers
and goodbye get out of my life.
Remember true friends won't/don't stand in judgement of you.

2) Having gone Through Sufferring

This is a tough one. How can I know what true love is unless I've gone through heartache and pain. Because through loss I discover
the real value of what love is all about.
Here we are tempered in the flames of life and instead of becoming cynical or angry we choose to take the experience and learn from it.
Right I say to myself, I won't make that mistake again, I'm going to choose differently this time or the next time round and just be happy
or content with what I have.

3) Through the Experience of Others.

You don't have to put your hand in the fire to understand that it can hurt you, you can learn through other's experiences that fire is deadly.
There is a lot of truth in that, and we can remind ourselves of the truths God's word gives us.
Like Prov 23:5 or 1 John 2:16 or Prov 27:24 etc.


But godliness with contentment is great gain, 1 Tim 6:6 says Paul.

4) Gratitude

Think of someone who cannot walk but you can ... then thank God ... gratitude.
Be grateful that you have that which others don't ... look at some of the impoverished nations and be grateful that you don't have to earn a mere
dollar a day or have to scavenge your food from a rubbish dump.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[Born_Again]

@ hldude ...

Contentment can be learned in a few ways;

1) A Deliberate Quality Decision.

A quality decision that I'm not going to try and copy the Jones family next door. I think one of the biggest hindrances here is pride.
I say to myself, it's ok if he just bought a new truck or if his wife just redid her kitchen units or went on a cruise to the Bahamas.
Also overcoming the need to be caught up in the "games" of our peers through the sense of belonging through possessions is a major
deal for many people.
If I don't keep up with so and so then I'm going to look either poor, cheap or behind the times.
This is a powerful motivator to get caught up.
You almost feel like being ostracised from the community or friends or family if you don't.
This is almost like co-dependency in a relationship ... a sense of under-developed self esteem, which relies upon others for happiness.
So I'm not going to be happy if I'm not accepted and acceptance is through my possessions.
And believe me this happens even the church.

Here is where we draw the line in the sand. We resist pride, and co-dependency/acceptance and give it the left foot of fellowship, cheers
and goodbye get out of my life.
Remember true friends won't/don't stand in judgement of you.

2) Having gone Through Sufferring

This is a tough one. How can I know what true love is unless I've gone through heartache and pain. Because through loss I discover
the real value of what love is all about.
Here we are tempered in the flames of life and instead of becoming cynical or angry we choose to take the experience and learn from it.
Right I say to myself, I won't make that mistake again, I'm going to choose differently this time or the next time round and just be happy
or content with what I have.

3) Through the Experience of Others.

You don't have to put your hand in the fire to understand that it can hurt you, you can learn through other's experiences that fire is deadly.
There is a lot of truth in that, and we can remind ourselves of the truths God's word gives us.
Like Prov 23:5 or 1 John 2:16 or Prov 27:24 etc.


But godliness with contentment is great gain, 1 Tim 6:6 says Paul.

4) Gratitude

Think of someone who cannot walk but you can ... then thank God ... gratitude.
Be grateful that you have that which others don't ... look at some of the impoverished nations and be grateful that you don't have to earn a mere
dollar a day or have to scavenge your food from a rubbish dump.

Just my two cents worth.

As I read that, I considered my own situation. Through these trials, I am learning a new patience, a new contentment. But it by no means is easy. Good post.