Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. [Philippians 4:11-13 ESV]
Have the last six months challenged you on your own contentment? Has it challenged you on what you thought you could endure? Paul says in Philippians that he has learned in whatever situation to be content. The secret he learned is that through the strength the Lord gave him he could do and endure all things. Where does your strength come from?
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. [2Co 12:10 ESV]
Just before the verse above, Paul has told us that the Lord gave him a “thorn in the flesh,” some type of ailment which Paul pleaded and begged with the Lord to take away. The Lord’s answer given in 2 Corinthians 12:9 is "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul responds, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Then he goes on to say he is content with weakness. He is content with insults. He is content in hardships. He is content with persecutions, and he is content with calamities. Why? When he is weak, he is strong. How is he strong? Philippians 4:13—through the Lord who gives him strength.
When we are weak, God’s power can be made perfect in our weakness. Has the Lord been strengthening you and building up your trust these last six months? Has His power been made perfect in your weakness or have the uncertainties of the world overwhelmed you? Have you found contentment in the situation and worldly climate He has placed you in?
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. [1Ti 6:6-8 ESV]
It’s hard in our 21st century America to be content with just food and clothing. We have worldly influences everywhere on how our bodies should look, what type of clothes we should wear, and how nice, new, and updated our house needs to be. With all this bombarding us it can be hard to be content with what God has given us. Whatever your situation might be, jealousy and anger can easily creep in. Especially at a time when you may have been stuck at home for the past few months, there are times where we think: “All I need is a good vacation and a good shopping trip to relax me and break me from this funk I’m in.” Yet deep down we all know that won’t fully relax or satisfy. Why is it that we so often look to new things and new experiences to fulfill the lack of contentment in our lives when Christ simply asks us to seek Him, trust Him, let Him be our strength so that we can find rest and contentment in Him. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Let’s thank the Lord for everything He’s given us and allow His power to be made perfect in our weakness.
Reflection Questions:
- Are you content with your current situation? (body size, car, house, calamities)
- Where do you find your Strength?
How can you practically find strength in the Lord?
Reflection Song:
