It amazes me how easily I can fall back into a pattern of focusing on the negative. It just seems to be the way of life these days. Arguing, fussing, and frustration abound while pointing out the good in our lives takes a back seat. I’d like to say I’ve overcome the urge to dwell on the negative, but that wouldn’t be true. Lately I’ve been the first one to raise her guilty hand. The first one to break into a fit of complaining.
So when negativity sneaks in, how do we stay content? How do we “learn to be content” like Paul did?
Now I’ll admit, I do have some control over my complaining. I know this because I’ve managed to keep negative thoughts off social media and out of public. I’m able to resist griping at the grumpy lady at Walmart or shaking my fist at the distracted driver next to me. But get me in the privacy of my own home or in the comfortable presence of family and friends, and it’s a whole different story.
Somehow I’ve let my home become a safe landing place for negativity, but that’s not what God wants for me, my home, or my family. He wants me to have peace, joy, and the comfort of his Holy Spirit.
When difficult things come at us from all directions, it’s hard to fathom the kind of contentment Paul describes in Philippians chapter 4. We want to discover how to be content, like Paul talks about, but you might be asking yourself, “How can I be content with all the stuff going on in my life right now? With everything I’ve been through?”
No one understood the struggle for contentment more than Paul, and from his letter to the church at Philippi, we can be reassured today. Learning how to be content is possible, whatever problems we may be facing.
Discovering the Contentment Paul Describes
Paul’s sense of peace can be felt in reading these final words to the Philippians. I can almost hear his sigh of satisfaction as he gives the last charge to his friends.
Rejoice.
Give thanks.
Rely on God’s peace.
Think about good things.
This is profound advice, but even more so when we realize where they came from. Paul had been through some tough stuff - worse than many of us will ever experience. Yet because of that we can take comfort in knowing his words come from a place of having been there.
We may find it hard to listen to someone who can’t identify with our circumstances. That’s one reason this verse holds such power. Paul understood, but he didn’t just say, “Me too.” He encouraged us all by letting us know if he could do it, we could too.
The Secret to Being Content
Looking just a bit further into the chapter, Paul reveals the secret to true contentment. (Which isn’t really a secret at all.)
“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 him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (Emphasis mine.)
He gives us the answer in bold declaration. It isn’t in God’s character to hide the truth from us, or make us scrounge for what we hope for. The message is simple, delivered through a trusted servant of Christ. The answer is this:
Learning to be content begins with letting Jesus be my strength.
Contentment is a tricky thing - at least, we can make it that way. And God knew we couldn’t find it alone. We would need help, which He generously provided. Jesus longs to be our strength, and to help us find contentment when we struggle to do it on our own.
So when I start to fall back into that old pattern of negativity and complaining takes the place of speaking God’s praise, I have hope. In verse 18 Paul says, “I am amply supplied…” He had what he needed, and that was enough.
May we all find strength through Jesus today to see we are amply supplied with God’s goodness. And may we trade negativity for a content-filled life.
Blessings,
Kristine
