In Philippians 4:11-13 Paul writes:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Friends, do you hear the radical, life-changing implications of these verses? In these words is the secret of contentment in all situations. Paul learned to be content in plenty and in hunger, in abundance and in need. In every situation and circumstance, Paul had learned the secret of contentment.

Where do you struggle to be content? Are you discontent with your current job situation? Are you unhappy at the fact that you're still not married? Is your budget stretched to the limit? Are you discontent due to a difficult trial you're currently enduring? If you're like me, you desperately need contentment.

So what is the secret of contentment? Contentment is not found in a change of circumstances. If you're not content in your current job, you won't be content in a new job. If you're not content as a single person, you won't be content when you're married. According to Paul, the strength to be content is found only in Christ. If you desire contentment, you must be close to Christ. The only way to be content in all circumstances, is to be strengthened by Christ Himself.

How do we receive the strength of contentment? By spending time with Christ through the word of God and through prayer. We simply won't be content if we're not spending regular time in the word of God and regular time in prayer. You won't be content in your job or with your current budget if you're not receiving daily strength from Christ.

So let's begin the pursuit of contentment today. Let's spend time with Christ today, confessing our discontentment and asking for strength to be content in every situation. Let's appeal to Christ, our glorious Savior, for strength to be content. He's eager to strengthen so that we might be content at all times and in all places.

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