Being Content: Complaint Free World Day 20
Philippians 4:11-13 KJV
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know hot to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
That last verse, Philippians 4:13, has been a memory verse for me and the kids for a while. We learned the New King James Version "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I have even read story books that include the verse to the children. The moral was this - if you are struggling (with math/siblings/a bully - maybe for adults it would be weight/unemployment/addiction) You can do all things through Christ! And truly, with God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).
Honestly, I do not think that is what this verse is about. Philippians 4:13 is not about manipulating our external circumstances so that we can be content. Philipians 4:13 is about finding contentment regardless of our external circumstances. This verse is about an internal circumstances. Paul was content whether he was abased (belittled or dishonored) or abounded (flourished or thrived) . He was content whether full or hungry. Contentment.
When you have to much on your to do list, when you overweight, when you are unemployed, when you are struggling? Can you be content in your current situation?
I looked up the word "content" in the Noah Webster 1828. It says rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implying a moderate degree of happiness.
Notice that learning to be content is something that Paul had to learn to do. If it already came naturally he would not have to "learn" to do it. It is the same with us. We will have to "learn" to do it as well.
I am not saying we should not have goals or seek change. But even in the midst of that change we need to find contentment. I think that comes from realizing that we are blessed even if things don't change and having faith in God to take care of us and all the circumstances that we have placed in his hands. Truly, learning to be content can be one of the most life altering goals we can undertake.
To update you on my complaint free world challenge, I started again on day one yesterday because I complained. Oh well . . . I am not giving up. 😐
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know hot to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
That last verse, Philippians 4:13, has been a memory verse for me and the kids for a while. We learned the New King James Version "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I have even read story books that include the verse to the children. The moral was this - if you are struggling (with math/siblings/a bully - maybe for adults it would be weight/unemployment/addiction) You can do all things through Christ! And truly, with God, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).
Honestly, I do not think that is what this verse is about. Philippians 4:13 is not about manipulating our external circumstances so that we can be content. Philipians 4:13 is about finding contentment regardless of our external circumstances. This verse is about an internal circumstances. Paul was content whether he was abased (belittled or dishonored) or abounded (flourished or thrived) . He was content whether full or hungry. Contentment.
When you have to much on your to do list, when you overweight, when you are unemployed, when you are struggling? Can you be content in your current situation?
I looked up the word "content" in the Noah Webster 1828. It says rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implying a moderate degree of happiness.
Notice that learning to be content is something that Paul had to learn to do. If it already came naturally he would not have to "learn" to do it. It is the same with us. We will have to "learn" to do it as well.
I am not saying we should not have goals or seek change. But even in the midst of that change we need to find contentment. I think that comes from realizing that we are blessed even if things don't change and having faith in God to take care of us and all the circumstances that we have placed in his hands. Truly, learning to be content can be one of the most life altering goals we can undertake.
To update you on my complaint free world challenge, I started again on day one yesterday because I complained. Oh well . . . I am not giving up. 😐
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