I’m Content, It’s All Okay
For a book of the Bible written with so much encouragement, it would be easy to forget it was written from jail. Paul had been through so much already and had quite the conversion story. If you haven’t checked it out before, mark Acts chapters nine and thirteen. It’s remarkable and a stark reminder of what God can do in and through our lives. It may look like a hot mess outside, but that does not mean God is not at work.
The church at Philippi was the first church in Europe. The entire book of Acts is about the birth of the church, so keep reading in the book of Acts if you’re interested. It was filled with a variety of people, races, social classes, etc. though many historians record a poorer population at the time. With such differences, I’m fairly confident there were many opinions. And I’m sure disagreements. You can’t get a group of people together today without arguing or disagreeing on something. It’s a sad but true reality. As followers of Jesus, we can change this trajectory. We can live our lives in such a way that our love for Jesus is obvious and contagious.
But what do we do when life isn’t working out like we thought? When things have taken a turn for the worst? When our loved one isn’t healed, the financial means aren’t there, or the child doesn’t come home?
The word content when utilized as an adjective means satisfied, gratified, and full. I had written in my Bible a definition of contentment as an unshakable awareness that I have more than enough. That should be all of us. Just being thankful for the home we have, the food we can eat, the job we can go to, the friends we talk to every day. That right there is a blessing and all too often taken for granted.
It’s not easy to live a content life, is it? Especially when we are tired, hungry, or hurting. It’s as if in those moments, nothing can satisfy us. We indulge in food, binge on media, watch endless hours of the news, or spend hours scrolling on social media to bide our time. To distract us and fill us with some sense of fullness and happiness.
Philippians 4: 1-23, NIV
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen
Our ability to be content in our circumstances is dependent on our thoughts. How we think determines the road we are on and the destination to which we end up. Negative thoughts and negative people will suck the positivity from you. Watch what you put into your mind. Be mindful of the language and the way of thinking you listen to, if you’re not careful you will start sounding just as negative. When we are mindful about thinking good thoughts, our mindset will be more positive. We will be able to see the blessings even in difficult situations because we will be used to looking for them and giving God thanks for those little bits of positivity in our days.
Peace on earth is impossible, but peace in you is possible. As we have learned in the past few weeks, it is up to you how you choose to respond to a situation. No one can be happy, sad, thankful, content, or positive for you. As we serve God, we know that He is a God of peace during any chaos we may face. We know that God gives grace and mercy to His followers, and He will give us the strength we need to walk faithfully with Him. Our circumstances may not change, but we can choose to look at our situation differently. We can rejoice, live with thankfulness instead of anxiety, and have open communication with God through prayer. We can live confidently knowing that as Scripture says, we can do all things through Christ who is our strength.
When we value our relationship with God through Jesus, we live as content humans. We realize that God is ultimately in control of everything, and He holds His children close. We may walk through seasons of deep hurt, but we will come out on the other side changed. We live with a Heaven-focus, knowing that our goal is eternity. Believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us hope and contentedness for all of our days.
I want to challenge you as we close this study of Philippians. May you live knowing that God loves you and holds you close. Because of that:
Choose to be thankful for all things.
Live with a servant's heart.
Choose humility always.
Think good things.
True joy is yours for reclaiming this season. Grab hold of the joy that can only be found through Christ. It will carry you through even the darkest of times.
