The Secret of Contentment

Philippians 4:12-13

“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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

A study of Paul’s life reveals a man whose experiences had run the entire spectrum. Having once been a man of financial means, a leader among the most religious Jews, and having held positions of status and authority; he ended up being severely persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, ridiculed, without material possessions, abandoned, and eventually martyred.

Yet, even as he wrote this particular letter from prison, he says he has learned to be content in all circumstances. For those of who have been imprisoned, I think we know at that particular time and place he was not “well fed”, and was not “living in plenty”. In fact, I am sure the prisons 2,000 years ago were much worse than today.

With society’s current obsession with materialism, and the bombardment of every kind of enticing advertisement, we are constantly influenced to want more of everything – newer, better, faster. Fortunately, those of us in Christ have access to the same secret as Paul – the Holy Spirit Who empowers us within!

As long as we trust wholly in God, He will be our Source of peace and contentment in every circumstance.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Thank the Father for giving you His Holy Spirit to empower you, and that He gives you His peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas in your life today where you are not manifesting contentment and peace. Choose to trust Him.

Dive Deeper: Study Philippians 4; Philippians 1:6, 2:13; Psalm 138:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; John 3:21.