The Apostle Paul shared perhaps the best prescription on how to be truly content, no matter what the circumstances, when he said: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13).
As a Christian not only is true contentment possible, no matter what the circumstances, but when we are trusting in Christ it becomes normative. I like how Arthur W. Pink talked about contentment: “Contentment, then, is the product of a heart resting in God. It is the soul’s enjoyment of that peace that passes all understanding. It is the outcome of my will being brought into subjection to the Divine will. It is the blessed assurance that God does all things well, and is, even now, making all things work together for my ultimate good.”1
According to both the Apostle Paul and Arthur Pink true contentment is possible in all circumstances. As I have shared in several past devotions both joy and peace are also available at all times to the Christian who walks in obedience in the will of Christ. For you see all three of these conditions of the soul, (contentment, joy, and peace) depend on knowing deep in our hearts that according to Pink God is “making all things work together for my ultimate good.” Couple this with the knowledge that God is also working all things that happen to us for His glory and you have a very powerful set of reasons to always rejoice, be at total peace, and rest in true contentment.
Notice in the Philippians verses which I shared above, Paul says that he has had to learn the secret of being content no matter what the situation. My friends the more we hide God’s Word in our hearts, the more we set our minds on things above, and the more we turn the keys of our lives over to the Holy Spirit the greater contentment we will experience in our souls.
I have learned in my walk with the Lord that trials and negative circumstances are a blessing because they teach me to become more dependent on Jesus. In addition, I have learned to stand on the promises of Scripture because they tell me that God will work all things for my ultimate good and His glory if we just trust Him. And knowing this brings great contentment since I have discovered just how much Jesus loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life.
To sum up deep joy, lasting peace, and true contentment are available to all Christians who choose to put Jesus first in every area of their lives. And when we do this the Lord gets all the glory and we get blessed knowing that we are playing a major role in building God’s kingdom here on earth – and that fills my heart to overflowing with total contentment!