Philippians: 14 Days of Hope and EncouragementSample

I’ve never known true hunger, and compared to most of the world have never experienced want of basic needs. Yet, at times I still struggle with discontentment. We’re constantly bombarded with messages telling us we should want more. Advertisements, social media, television, and observing others around us can make us feel like what we have isn’t enough. I become dissatisfied in spite of being safe, well-fed, clothed, and enjoying many luxuries.

How did Paul, the ancient evangelist who wrote today’s passage, find a place of contentment, and even joy, despite experiencing hunger, beatings, imprisonment, hatred, and rejection?

He said, “I have learned” the secret of how to be content in any circumstance. He learned the gateway to letting go of striving, grasping, and the crying demands of discontent. The key to accepting whatever came: sun or storm; fullness or emptiness; nothing or everything.

He told us how in the verse that follows: “I can do all things through Him" –Christ– "who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, NASB).

Paul’s focus was on Jesus not himself. His hope was in Christ not this world. Paul looked forward not behind. As a result, gratitude and praise characterized his life.

In chains and in freedom he praised God.

In weakness and in strength he praised God.

When bruised and beaten or when in comfort he praised God.

Paul viewed this present life of turmoil and pain as nothing compared to the future he had living with a perfect, glorified body of his own, free from sin and death and in the presence of Christ (Romans 8:18; Philippians 3:20-21).

To find this contentment, and fully experience the joy it fuels, we keep our eyes on Jesus and the future we have with Him. We praise Him, worshiping Him in good times and bad. We rely on His strength because we can’t do it on our own.

On his own, Paul was as weak as we are but he depended on Christ. He chose contentment by faith and found lasting joy. So can we.

~Susan Aken

Writer, Blogger