Learning to Be Content

Changing situations and changing circumstances often come with changing

moods, like unease, irritability, or even irrational behavior. These

changes may be due to the loss of employment, a loved one, or something

else we once held so dear. We might lose something that used to occupy our

time, or something that’s just always been there. When a part of our lives

that has felt normal since childhood suddenly isn’t there anymore, life can

feel empty.

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The apostle Paul experienced a lot of changes. He was one of the most

educated people of his day. He sat at the feet of Gamaliel, one of the best

teachers of the Jewish Scriptures (Acts 5:34; 22:3). No doubt Paul was

envied by some who didn’t enjoy the same privileges he did.

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But when Paul came to faith in Christ Jesus (whose followers he had

persecuted severely up till then) things took a different turn. That

privileged position was no more. Now, as a follower of Jesus Christ, Paul

was the one being severely persecuted for his faith. He went through very

uncomfortable situationssometimes because of persecution from

non-Christians, and sometimes because of natural disasters beyond his

control. Paul was shipwrecked more than once. There were times when he had

very little to live on and he went hungry and thirsty. He experienced

sleepless nights and shivered in the cold without enough clothing. He

worked hard and for long hours. He was beaten with rods and imprisoned

frequently (2 Corinthians 11:23-29). Sometimes Paul had more than enough,

but other times he had less than enough.

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Through all this, rather than complaining and becoming bitter or even

abandoning his faith in Christ, Paul says he learned the secret of being

content with whatever he had and whatever circumstances he was going

through (Philippians 4:12). And that secret was knowing Christ. Paul

learned to bring all his anxieties to the Lord and to trust and depend on

Him (4:6). But this is something he had to learnit didn’t happen

automatically. Because Paul had met the risen Jesus, he had hope that Jesus

would return to raise the dead and unite heaven and earth. This is the

message Paul constantly told the churches, and this is what drove him. In

good times and bad, Jesus was the One who provided Paul’s contentment. As

we go through life’s challenges, twists, and turns in this ever-changing

world, we can learn to be content as we draw near to Jesus. Only He can

bring true peace of mind and rest to our souls. Charity Kiregyera

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What might it look like to draw near to Jesus during times of change?

(Read Philippians 4:4-7.)

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I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11b

(NIV)

Read Verses:

Philippians 4:4-Philippians 4:7; Philippians 4:10-Philippians 4:13