Content With Discontent: Killing Comparison With Gratitudeಮಾದರಿ

If you read only verses 6-9 of Philippians 4, camping in that thought management piece from yesterday's session, it appears that Paul is about to wrap it up. But then he goes just a little deeper, gets a little more vulnerable with us.

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 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.” Philippians 4:10-13 ESV

Phil 4:10–Thank you for caring about what God has assigned me to do. That meant a lot! You expressed your desire to supply my needs. But I’ve learned something in my perceived lack.

Phil 4:11–Through all the statements I’ve made above, I’ve learned how to be content.

I want to stop right here and give you (and me) some reassurance: if you are battling with discontentment, this is a lifelong learning process. And our humanness seems to require us to relearn these fundamental principles over and over again in different seasons and stages of our lives. Paul said it was a series of seasons in his life—seasons of being in want, seasons of abundant provision—that taught him this lesson:

Phil 4:12–My circumstances do not determine my contentment.

But how did Paul ultimately kick discontent to the curb?

Phil 4:13–I can be content because of the strength God provides to me to do so. His strength is my foundation. Nothing, no one else.

You may already be aware of discontent in your life. Or perhaps it’s nestled in between something like weakness, disappointment, grief, or hurt. Paul penned yet another invaluable encouragement to the Roman believers, and to us today, in Romans 8, beginning in verse 26:

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

And then down in verse 31: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:26-28, 31 ESV

In your own strength, you won't be able to conquer comparison. You won't be able to destroy the sin of discontent in your life. But when you lean into the strength provided by the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, true victory is yours for the asking! You can do all things through Christ. You can be content.

Dig a Little Deeper:

1. Surrender and repent. If you still have discontent, grumbling, or resentment in your heart and mind, give that to Jesus and thank Him for the conviction of His Spirit. What a gift!

2. Receive God's peace and comfort. If condemnation continues to knock on your heart's door, that's not from God. Resist it and embrace the promised peace of God.

3. Confess to someone. Often comparison causes us to resent others and begrudge them the blessings of God. Reverse that! And require yourself to bless them with encouragement.

4. Acknowledge the many gifts of God—tangible and intangible—you currently possess. Write them down. Send a text message of acknowledgment to someone. Create a reminder in your phone to jog your memory each day.