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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

Isaiah 33-36
Philippians 4:2-23

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

Philippians 4:10-14 (CSB): “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

Reflecting on God’s Word

It’s easy to read Philippians 4:10-14 without so much as a second thought. But what Paul was saying is powerful. I certainly needed to hear the Lord speak these truths to my heart so that I can apply them … because I often don’t.

Contentment is relatively easy when I’m satisfied. When I have pushed away from a table of delicious food and my stomach is full, I’m content. When I have enjoyed an evening of conversation and games with my family, I’m content. When I get to take a long hike through the hills and mountains of beautiful eastern Kentucky, I’m content.

I typically feel content when my needs (physical, social, psychological, emotional, financial, etc.) are met. And, truth be told, I have a relatively long list of “needs.”

But Paul didn’t use the word, contentment, in that way. He didn’t say that he enjoyed contentment when everything was going right in his life.

He said he had learned to be content regardless of what his experience was. If he had enough food, he had learned to be content. If he didn’t have enough food and his stomach was growling, he learned to be content. He learned to be content when he had the resources he needed and he learned to be content when he didn’t have everything he thought he needed.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t use the word “content” to describe how I feel when I haven’t eaten in quite a few hours. I wouldn’t use the word “content” to describe how I feel when my car has broken down and I don’t have enough money in the bank to repair it.

How in the world did Paul learn to be content when life was difficult?

First, he said he learned to be content. Like us, contentment didn’t come naturally to him. He had to go through bad things, which gave him the opportunity to learn to be content in those situations. He also had to learn contentment when his needs were met because the human heart often wants more, always more.

Second, he said he learned to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself. We would assume contentment comes easy when life is good and we have all that we think we need. But to learn to be content when we don’t have what we think we need is not natural. It seems that the primary conviction we must develop during those times is that God is in control and he will provide us with what HE knows we need, not necessarily with what we think we need. Further, He has promised that regardless of what happens to us, He will work it for our good (to make us more like Jesus – Romans 8:28-29).

Contentment is something we must learn. Why? Because lacking contentment is serious! When we are not content, we are essentially saying: “God, I believe you’re in charge of things, but I think you messed up in my current situation. In fact, I believe I could have done a better job than you if I were running the show. So, I have every right to be dissatisfied with what you are doing in my life right now.”

Yikes! We wouldn’t dare say that. But refusing to be content conveys that very message to God loud and clear.

Like Paul, contentment doesn’t come easily or naturally. But we must learn to be content. Will you see each event of this day as an opportunity to cultivate contentment? I hope so.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to enable you to learn contentment. As you go through the moments of this day, seek to be content in each of them, relying upon the Lord and your faith in biblical principles to provide that satisfaction for you.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into biblical contentment, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What does it mean to be content (Philippians 4:11)?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of White Hall Baptist Church in Richmond, Kentucky (whitehallbaptistchurch.org)