Being Content God's WaySample

Contentment Is Learned

Sometimes, we look at people and think, “It must be nice to be them. They are so content. I wish I were like that. Sadly, God made me a miserable, discontent person.” However, contentment is not something fortunate people are born with, while others are not. Instead, contentment must be learned. Paul wrote, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content…I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (Philippians 4:11−12). Two verses earlier, Paul wrote, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9). We are to follow Paul’s example and learn what he learned, and practice what he practiced.

Contentment Is Not the Absence of Trials

Sometimes, people associate contentment with the absence of suffering. If our life is going well, we are content; however, we become discontented if we experience a trial. If this were true, nobody could be content because trials are part of life on this side of heaven. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Paul said, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22), and “You…know that we are destined for [afflictions]” (1 Thessalonians 3:3). James 1:2 says, “when you fall into various trials…” not “if you do…”

People expecting the Christian life to be carefree are in for a shock. This is why it is terrible to tell people, “If you become a Christian, Jesus will make your life wonderful!” When they experience trials, there are only three possibilities. They will…

1. Be upset with you later, believing you lied to them.
2. Be angry with Jesus for not making their life perfect like you said He would.
3. Think Christianity is untrue because if Jesus were real, He would not have let this happen.

Instead, we should expect trials and tell others to do the same. Peter said, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). The Greek word for “strange” is xenizō, and it means, “astonished or shocked.” We should not be astonished or shocked by trials, but often, this is how we feel. We ask, “How could this happen to me?” Instead, we should ask, “Because I know trials are part of the Christian life, how can I learn to be content in this situation?”