“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
-Philippians 4:11-13
I read that verse, and it amazes me that Paul was able to be like that. I believe he truly learned to be content in every state once he put God first in his life. I read that verse and replace Paul with myself, and I wonder if it’s true for me. Actually, I don’t have to wonder. I know it’s not... not yet at least.
I haven’t fully learned how to be content in every situation like Paul, but it’s something I’m working on. True contentment comes with joy, but our joy is destroyed when we compare ourselves to others. It’s impossible to be content when we’re constantly looking at what others have wishing we could have it. I think about some of the lowest points in my life, and I know at the time I was looking at other people thinking about how good they have it. Now, I have a life that some people may look at and envy. I prayed for this life for years and years, but it didn’t come without many trials and heartbreaks along the way. Even now that I have the things I’ve prayed for, I still go through major ups and downs. In my thirty years of living, I’ve never talked with anyone who hasn’t endured hard times. No one is immune to life. Life happens to us all, and that includes the good and the bad.
I used to tell myself, “If I could just have _____, I would be so happy!” Guess what? I have most of the things I used to wish for, and sometimes I’m still unhappy. Just because we get something we’ve always wanted doesn’t mean trials won’t still come. I begged God for a husband. I begged God for a baby. I have both, and I count them as my biggest blessings here on earth. I cannot imagine life without them, and I’m so thankful God saw fit to allow me to be a wife and mother. BUT... if he didn’t bless me in those ways, I should still be content. I’m not saying it would be easy because those were things my heart has always desired so strongly. However, as verse thirteen says in the passage above, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I can serve God and fulfill my purpose without being a wife or mother. He didn’t put me on this earth just so I could be all the things that I want to be. I’m on this earth to help his cause—to show the love of Christ to others and bring people to him. Eternal life is a blessing I need to share with everyone I can.
There are several factors that go into contentment. Forgiveness is one of them. If you’re harboring anger and holding a grudge, you can’t be content and full of joy. Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” I know that I stand in great need of forgiveness from my heavenly Father, so I must forgive the ones who hurt me. It also means forgiving yourself. Sometimes when we get caught up in sin, it’s hard to forgive ourselves, and we get bogged down with grief and regret. We have to understand that when we’re a child of God walking in his light, he'll forgive us. We can remember our sins so that we don’t continue down the wrong paths, but we have to turn a page and move on with life with the intent to do better.
I realize I’m most unhappy when I take my focus off the Lord and eternal life and focus on worldly things. It’s something I believe I’ll have to work on for the rest of my life, but I want to be a content person. In many areas of life, I can look back and see how I’ve grown. We live in a small house, and it’s nothing fancy. I’m one hundred percent content here. It’s home. My husband and son are here with me, and it’s perfect. We live on a very quiet road and have the best neighbors we could ask for. I don’t need a big fancy house, yet in other areas of life I find myself constantly wanting more.
Contentment is knowing that while we may not have everything we want here on this earth, we can have an eternal home with our Lord and have everything we could ever need. We’re not living for what this world has to offer. We’re living for what Heaven has to offer. True joy and contentment cannot come from the things we gain in life. True joy and contentment can only come from the Lord.
-Jensen Nicholson
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