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. – Philippians 4:11-12
Jesus came to give us joy, peace, satisfaction, and contentment. Paul understood that probably better than anyone, even as he was writing from a Roman prison when he wasn’t going anywhere and was stuck where he was.
As he pens today’s key passage, he talks about how he had found the secret of satisfaction. There are three things we can do to live a life of total satisfaction according to Paul, and my prayer is that we all learn to implement these things in our lives so we can be totally satisfied as well. Let’s talk about the first one today, and we’ll discuss the other two tomorrow.
The first thing you can do to live a life of total satisfaction is to remember God’s purpose for you. Paul said he had learned the secret of satisfaction. Contentment is not just a principle that you practice; it is a lesson that you learn.
Christianity is a school you never graduate from, and you never get your doctor’s degree. When you give your heart to God, you enroll in His university. He teaches every class. After all, a disciple means “learner.” God never quits teaching, and we should never quit learning.
It doesn’t matter what you are doing, whether you are reading your Bible, dealing with a problem, parenting a child, working in a difficult job, going through a tough time, or dealing with a medical issue there is a question you should always be asking, “God, what are you wanting to teach me?” Some of the greatest lessons God wants to teach us are rooted in the lesson of satisfaction.
Dear Lord, I want to have the kind of contentment Paul had. I want to be satisfied no matter what my circumstances are. So with that in mind, I pray that you would use whatever means necessary to teach me the lesson of contentment so that I may learn to find total satisfaction in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Topics: Contentment
