“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know that 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.” Philippians 4:11-13
Every day I speak Philippians 4:6-9 over myself, one morning as I was doing that verse 11 caught my eye. “Content.” I thought, “But, aren’t we supposed to be ever growing, ever drawing nearer to the Lord? Why would it say content?” Thankfully my Jesus loves me and He told me! As I was writing and journaling what the Lord was telling me I was thinking of you and wanting to share this with you.
The note below these verses in my Bible says “The key to contentment is realizing that God has given you in your present circumstances everything you need to endure, grow closer to Him and remain victorious in your relationship with Christ. The ability to live steadily and triumphantly above changing circumstances comes from Christ’s power flowing in and through you. This ability does not come naturally, however; it must be learned and developed through dependence on and obedience to Christ.”
Paul is saying that he has had much and he has had little, but the “secret” remains the same in every situation.
We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.
It’s not our “much” or our “little” that helps us through. It’s Him. In every situation. Our ability to do what God desires and has in store for us comes not from our own ability, creativity or spirituality, but from His enabling power.
As I read this I thought of my relationship with the Lord and the need to be content with Him, in Him. Not looking for approval from others or looking for a relationship with someone else but being content, confident in, sure of my relationship with Him and who I am in Him. He has already given me (and you) the ability, with the Holy Spirit living in us. Like it says, it does not come naturally through, we must learn and develop this as we depend and obey Him. Daily we need to grow closer.
Read Psalm 119:33-40:
Teach me
Give me understanding
Turn my heart toward You
Turn my eyes away from worthless things
As we read the Word, pray and spend time with Him, worship Him, He will do these things, draw us nearer to Him.
As I read this I thought of the ministry I’m a part of (you could compare it to your marriage etc). When I’m feeling super “unqualified” in my “little” that I see or have or when I’m thinking things are great because of the “much” that I have or see, ultimately it’s what, or who rather, is on the inside. He qualifies those He calls. He equips us. And all those other familiar quotes. Don’t compare your ministry, relationships, marriage, family, friendships, children, walk with the Lord, to others. He is all you need, let Him be your Source, truly.
It’s not about us. It’s not about me.
It’s about Him.
Learn to be content IN HIM, WITH HIM, whatever the circumstances – whether “little” or “much” – whether you have a relationship or don’t, whether your ministry has 200 kids or 5 kids, whether you’re having a good day or a bad day, whether you “feel” Him or not. He is constant. He is always there. Once you realize that His love is not going anywhere, it’s not going to change, you can learn to be content in Him, confident in Him, certain of who you are in Him, it’s life-changing.
Focus on Him.