Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.
(Philippians 4:11 NKJV)
Each morning, we greeted the day with a new burst of energy. This would be the day we could leave for our winter getaway. Let the fun begin! But the morning news dashed our hopes.
Stranded motorists had abandoned their cars along the interstate when they didn’t heed the blizzard warnings. How far did they trudge through snow and ice to find warmth with friends and family? I reminded myself that I should be thankful we had decided to leave after the storm, but with each delay, my heart sank to a new low, a place where I didn’t want to go. Day after day, I called the hotel and moved our arrival date up. Our luggage sat on the sofa shouting, “Let’s go!”
Finally, we realized the impassible interstates could not be cleared of abandoned vehicles and snowdrifts in time for even a weekend trip. My dread was now an undesired reality. I unpacked in silence. Gone was the enthusiasm I had when I had folded everything so neatly for a tight fit.
Have you tasted the bitterness of disappointment? Have you faced a time when your plans slipped through your fingers and shattered into a thousand pieces? Do you tire of always wanting but never receiving?
In seasons of discouragement, God might be teaching us contentment. We don’t like these lessons because they cost us something. It’s a price we don’t want to pay, but contentment will strengthen us spiritually.
A content heart isn’t a complaining heart.
As Paul penned his epistle to the Philippians, he thanked them for their generosity. They loved Paul, but they lacked the means to help Paul financially until that time. In our focal verse, Paul explained that he wasn’t complaining about his need because he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in. He explained how he had learned to suffer need and to abound. Paul continued with my favorite verse,
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
We can learn contentment when we understand two truths. First, we own nothing. That’s right, the home we live in isn’t ours. It belongs to God. The paycheck we earn isn’t our money. It belongs to God (Deut. 8:18).
God owns all things, but He has given us a portion of His riches to manage.
The second truth we need to grasp is that God provides our every need (Phil. 4:19). Sometimes, we confuse our wants with our needs, and we respond like I did about the cancelled vacation. Sometimes, we desire more than what God allows.
When we learn contentment, we possess stability. Our disappointments won’t sting so bad. Have you learned the value of contentment?
I don’t miss the emotional roller-coaster I used to ride when my plans fizzled. Over time, I have learned contentment. I still bubble with excitement when planning a trip, but my heart doesn’t ache as easily when God has different plans.
Heavenly Father, help me realize that I own nothing, and all that I thought I owned is really Yours. Help me be a good steward of these blessings. Help me stop complaining and trust in Your plans for me. May I say with Paul,” I have learned to be content in whatever state I am in.” Amen.
DIG DEEPER
HIKING THE TRAIL
In what areas of your life do you feel discontent? Is this a place where God wants you to learn contentment? What will that look like for you?
RELATED RESOURCE
Does God want us to be content in every situation? Perhaps you are in a season where contentment seems impossible. Return here Monday, June 21, 2021, and discover when we should not be content.
Originally posted on June 18, 2021 @ 3:08 am
Great blog. I have learned to be content. COVID shutdowns helped with that. My mood and attitude were not going to change the world outside my 4 walls but I did have control of how I chose to live inside my 4 walls.
I have learned contentment too, not perfectly, but more than I used to have.