hatchcreek.com Bible blog

If you are a Christian, allow me to ask you, are you content? By that I mean do you have a peace inside that transcends your circumstances? On a daily basis are you mostly happy and satisfied? If you can say, “yes,” to these questions you probably are a contented Christian.  However, if you say, “no,” then you need to read on to discover the secret to contentment.

Now, let’s look at the Word of God and see what Paul says about being content.

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Philippians 4:11)

Paul is actually shows us here the secret of being content. First, he says that he had learned to be content or satisfied no matter what his circumstances were. He learned to live above his circumstances. His circumstances did not dictate his happiness. Can you honestly say that is true in your life?

How many times have you thought “if only this or that would change I’d really be happy.“ I know people who seem to think their circumstances are the measuring stick of true happiness. One person I know believed if she could just have a new car she would be happy. Well, her husband gave in and even though they could not afford it, they got the car. She was thrilled, for a little while, but it didn’t last. Then, she thought she needed to repaint the house inside, and that would make her happy. That didn’t do it either. She had a pattern of thinking “things” would make her content. Others think happiness lies in a new job, or more money, or a vacation.

There are many people who think that way, but Paul said he could be happy no matter what the circumstances. It wouldn’t take a new mule or anything else to make him content. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be like Paul?

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. (Philippians 4:12)

He also said it didn’t matter if he was rich or poor, or what was going on in his life. We know that he suffered while he spent years in jail. He was beaten up several times and even left for dead. He was also in a ship wreak. Yet, he could say he was content? What’s the secret Paul?

Are you ready? The next verse tells us the secret of contentment.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

That’s it! Paul said it is because of the strength he has in Christ that he could do all things and still be content.

If a person is not a Christian they do not have this capacity to actually be content and strong in every situation. Our wonderful Savior has given us the Holy Spirit who lives in us to enable us live on a different level. Isn’t this exciting? Here is what the Bible says:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (Ephesians 6:10)

Do you see it? Be strong, in the Lord. We need to have the Lord first of all and then he gives us all of his mighty strength.

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:1)

And, he gives us his grace which he keeps pouring out to us over and over as we need it. His grace gives us strength.

…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (Ephesians 3:16)

Here he is says that this strength and power we have in Christ is IN US. We have it! If we are Christians then we have the Holy Spirit IN US. He is already there! He is waiting for us to call on him in our times of need. When we do this we have peace and contentment. There is no need for us to live in disharmony, and have anxious and fearful lives. We can live above whatever is going on when we walk in the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit will be the subject of my next post. We will look at how we can either hinder or help the Holy Spirit give us contentment.