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The Secret of Being Content
Read: Philippians 4:10-4:23
For one week if you counted up all of the commercials, billboards, on-line ads, magazine ads, newspaper ads, mall salespeople, and peer pressure that bombard you from all sides with the message that you need to buy more, have more, use more, it would be a staggering number. There is also tremendous societal pressure to be more successful, have more money, and be more beautiful. Our culture claims that you need to have the latest and greatest and be more and do more, but when is it enough?
If you base your contentment in following the latest trends and having the latest gadgets, you’ll have a hard time keeping up as the styles change and new products continue to be developed. You’ll never be satisfied with what you have because there’s always something new. I spent an extended period of time in West Africa a few years ago in villages that had no running water or electricity and the people wore clothes that looked like rags, struggled to feed their families, experienced the loss of loved ones from poverty and disease, and had never been outside their village, yet they had something we didn’t have- they were content. Despite all that they lacked and the difficulty they faced, they were thankful for what they had. Their focus wasn’t on material things. They had a proper perspective of the things that truly mattered.
Paul had also learned to be content regardless of his circumstances. He knew what it was like to have plenty and also what it was like to be in need. His contentment didn’t lie in how many things he had or in personal accomplishments. His sufficiency was in Christ alone. He knew that everything he had belonged to God and that God was enough to fulfill all of his needs.
Being content requires having a proper perspective. We must realize that we are God’s stewards of things on this earth. It all belongs to Him. Secondly, it involves your attitude- being thankful to Him for all you have been blessed with, not coveting what someone else has. Thirdly, it’s trusting God to meet your needs, knowing that He knows what’s best for you. Lastly, it’s trusting God’s promises and drawing on His power for strength to be content in all circumstances.
Reflect: Read Philippians 4:10-4:23 and reflect on the following questions:
- Are you content with your life right now? If not, what are you waiting for to make you “content”?
- Do you ever look at what others have (things, talents, abilities, looks) and want what they have? Why is this the wrong perspective? How does it affect you?
- When was the last time you thanked God for the things he’s blessed you with? Are you trusting Him to provide for all of your needs?
Remember: Weekly memory verses
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 everything through him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:12-13, NIV)
Going further: Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Stop and thank God for everything He’s blessed you with. Ask Him to remove the desires that keep you from being content and ask Him to give you the power and the strength to be content in all circumstances.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor 4:18
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