The Secret of Being Content

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. ” –Philippians 4:11-1, NLT

 What is the secret of being content? The apostle Paul tells us in our verses for today that he knows the secret of living content. What does it mean to be content? In today’s blog post, I will unpack this a little bit.

First, what does content mean? How does one act content? According to the dictionary.com, content means “satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else” This definition is pretty clear but also very challenging. We need to be satisfied with what we have.

I want that one!

This reminds me of something that happened the other day in the van. Caleb brought along two books to ‘read’ while we were running errands. He dropped one of the books but still had one to read. Instead of being content with that one book, Caleb kept crying about the book on the floor that he couldn’t have. Why is it when we have something we’re still focusing on the thing we don’t have?

Being Content

Paul reminds us in the verses for today that we can be content with what we have. “For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” Paul knew what it was like to go through trails. He knew what it was like to go hungry. Yet through it all, he could be content. How? What is the secret?

The secret

We find the secret to being content in verse 13: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” You see, it is not about us and what we can do. It’s how we let Christ’s strength live in us. We can be content in any situation by letting Christ give us strength. By putting our focus on Him instead of our circumstance. By choosing joy when it’s the last thing we want to do.

Will you join me in the quest to be content? It means asking Jesus daily and sometimes throughout the day to help us be satisfied with what we have. Jesus will pour His strength into us.

Heavenly Father, I want to be content with where I am. Thank You for showing me how. Please help me to do life through Your strength instead of my own. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.