Contentment

“….. for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Philippians 4:11 NASB

            Contentment by definition is “a state of happiness and satisfaction.” Are you able to say you are always in a state of happiness and satisfaction? How about most of the time? Perhaps half of the time? Maybe some of the time? Or could it be that you are never in a state of happiness and satisfaction?

            What is your foundation you rely for contentment (your state of happiness and satisfaction)? Is it money, a successful job, an eloquent home, a luxurious automobile, a stable relationship with that certain someone, a secure family life, or even a quiet evening sitting on the beach watching the sunset? These things and similar desires will grant us happiness and satisfaction for a while. The problem lies in the fact that our circumstances change quite often, sometimes daily, and that being the case we need a constant, unchangeable, secure entity to rely on; and that is in the person Jesus Christ, God the Son.

            Paul, the apostle, knew what it was like to be poor and hungry living with minimal supplies. He also experience having an abundant supply. But his contentment didn’t depend on whether he was rich or poor. He wrote in Philippians 4:11, “for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” His constant, unchangeable, secure entity was Jesus. Paul says “I can do all things through Him (Jesus) who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 NASB) It is true you can be in a state of happiness and satisfaction even when things all around you are in disarray through Jesus Christ. That’s Contentment! True Contentment is only found in Jesus.