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 situations—sometimes 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 learn—it 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:

Phil.4.4-Phil.4.7|Phil.4.10-Phil.4.13