The Way of Contentment

As the hours tick down to the end of 2011, one cannot help but think about the many blessings it took to survive this year and to prepare for 2012. Blessings God sent our way as a demonstration of His love for us. Did you focus on the blessings or were you distracted by the deficiencies? It is the key to living a contented life. Paul said he LEARNED to be content. What does that mean exactly? How do you learn to be content. Paul gives us some clues in Philippians 4: 11-13.

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul implied he was not feeling deprived or in personal need at that moment. Why? Because he had learned to be content - satisfied with what he had in such a way he was NOT disturbed or fearful - regardless of his circumstances. His material situation did NOT dictate his state of wellbeing. How can we ever serve the Lord if we are caught up in our own stuff? The best way for satan to disarm us, is to cause us to become withdrawn and to focus on our circumstances, rather than asking "Lord, what do you want me to do today?" This attitude is very necessary if you are going to serve the Lord in ministry, for the ministry is rarely a place of affluence. It is a place where we empty ourselves for the benefit of others.

Here, in these verses, Paul cites FOUR conditions or characteristics of contentment he learned.

• ·         Peace. “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil 4:11). Contentment can be elusive, for contentment is not based on quantity or quality. It is based on what you value and how you deploy your gifts. If you are solely focused on earthly things, money and material possessions, you will not find contentment. Likewise, health issues, conflict and busyness can derail a spirit minded heart. Fear is the enemy of contentment. Paul had contentment whether his financial support was good or bad, for his chief interest and values were spiritual.
• ·         Persistence. “In whatsoever state I am.” Regardless of his condition, Paul adopted an attitude.  What is the only thing we can control? It is our attitude. How is this possible when we are surrounded by so many distractions - bills, repairs, potential loss of income, unemployment, not to mention so many other intrusions into our life. But Paul said, it did NOT matter to him. He choose to be content. This was possible because Paul knew as we do, contentment is not based on circumstances.
• ·         Prudence. “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound” (Phil 4:12). Paul knew how deal with shortages he knew how to adjust his lifestyle to fit his circumstance. If he was “abased” (without much), he knew he had to pull back and adjust. But equally challenging was learning how to live with plenty. If his condition “abounding” category, he knew what to do with surplus. When you are content, you can adjust to any circumstance.
• ·         Power. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Phil 4:13). Paul knew the source of his contentment. Paul is not specifically speaking of his ability to do ALL THINGS, however, it is possibly inferred. Rather he is specifically speaking here of having the ability to adjust his attitude and focus to deal with any situation that arises because of shortfalls in his circumstances.  He says he is ready for anything life can throw at him and equal to the task because of the inner strength given him through Christ Jesus, his Lord.  Christ's sufficiency is enough.

Contentment is a learned state. Paul said earlier in Phil 4, Be anxious for NOTHING. He did NOT leave room for acceptable excuses. He did not say it was ok to fret about a late payment or to worry about things you cannot control. There is only ONE thing we can control in life. It is our attitude. Our attitude determines our altitude - how high we are going to soar above the clouds of the problems we face in life.

I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. God comforts us with the comfort He wants us to use to comfort other who are in the same circumstances. Inherent in this teach is a command. Look for others in need. And when you find them, comfort them with the comfort God gave you while you went through similar trials.

We do not walk through this life alone. There are means everywhere. God is constantly providing for us through ministering angels He sends to comfort us in our distress. You may be one of those angels for a time and a season. Don't miss the blessing because of your own circumstances. Don't allow the cares of this world to distract you from being used by God.

This life is but a blip on the timeline of eternity. We can make the most of it or the least. It is our choice. Paul says he learned to be content. He learned to look past his circumstance to the work of the Lord. He wanted to be used by God and did not want life to interfere. It was his choice and it is ours as well.

Happy New Year.