What is
contentment anyway? It’s an
inner sense of rest or peace that comes from being right with God and knowing
that He is in control. It means focusing
on the kingdom of God and serving Him.
It’s not focusing on money and things.
Philippians 4:11-13 – Learned Contentment
We must
submit to our Sovereign Lord. He is the
Savior who you must serve. He alone is
sufficient. If you know Him as Paul did,
you will know contentment. While sitting
in prison because of corrupt officials, Paul finds contentment. Paul says in Philippians 4:11 that he learned to be content in all
conditions. So contentment is a
process. We learn contentment. It’s our attitudes in trials and our
submission to Him where we learn contentment.
Paul
learned the secret of contentment. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”- Philippians 4:13. If you pursue contentment through a bigger
bank account, you won’t find it. If you
pursue contentment by buying material things like a new car every year or that
bigger house, you won’t find it. If you
pursue contentment through parties, drugs, alcohol and things you think will
make you feel good and happy, you won’t find it. All these things will come and go. That doesn’t mean we have to settle for
mediocrity. It’s being satisfied with
wherever you are and with whatever you have.
The secret of contentment is only through the cross of Jesus. We are strong because Jesus makes us
strong. This verse is often quoted when
we win at something, but should also be quoted when we lose. The reality is that Jesus is more than enough
or He is nothing at all. To know He is
enough is to trust and rely on Him.
What is
the “everything” Paul is talking about? It’s when you can’t hold on to a job that you
hate. It’s when your marriage doesn’t
make you happy. It’s when there is
illness or poverty in your life. It’s
even in wealth. It’s not doing all
things in your own strength, but it’s doing it by constant dependence on the
power of Christ who indwells in you. As
you serve Him day by day God continually infuses strength within you.
Principle: Jesus is more than enough or He is nothing at
all.
Do you
pursue contentment by your own power? Prayer is the answer. Prayer is an expression of dependence of His
power. Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and you minds
in Christ Jesus.”
God
wants us to be real with Him when we pray.
He doesn’t want us to pretend. Be
honest with God. He already knows your
situation anyway. Don’t allow your
circumstances to dictate your joy and contentment. Confess to God when you look for contentment in
things that are not of Him and ask Him to reveal that to you. Tell Him what you need and what hurts you.
Are you
easily distracted and fall for worldly pleasures and ideas? Are you trying to keep up with the
Jones? Do you constantly desire that new
and bigger things, the latest I Phone, that big screen TV or other technical
devices? Ask yourself – Do I really need
that stuff? Ask God to give you
contentment and joy through all He gives you and help you to be satisfied. We can’t pay Him back, but we can thank Him
and worship Him for all He’s done and is doing in our lives.
Principle: The secret to contentment is to focus on our
Sufficient Lord.
Be
content with what you have and where you are in life, while trusting in
God. He wants the best for you. Submit to Christ as your Sovereign Lord and
the Savior you serve. He is sufficient
in every situation. Don’t let the enemy tell
you otherwise.
Have a
blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.
Hope to see you here again.
-- I encourage you to trust in
Jesus.
__________________________________________
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