The Secret to Contentment

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 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 how 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. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction…. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:10-14, 19 (KJV)

Content in the Greek means to be satisfied with one’s lot, to be self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency. Can we be content? Yes, we can if we choose to be. Contentment is not based on what we have but who we know. It is in knowing Christ; all that He is and all that He has already accomplished at the cross. Contentment is being satisfied with Jesus, knowing He is more than enough for anything we face. In having Christ, we can draw from Him and His power to stay stable regardless of circumstances. It’s not in our strength but in Christ’s strength. The secret to contentment is to rely on Christ for everything.

Focus on who you have: Jesus Christ, not what you don’t have or what you want. As we rely on Christ, the anointed One and His anointing, His power will flow in and through us, helping us to go victoriously through what we have to go through. As we walk with Christ, we will see His provision in our lives, and by His power we can do what God wants us to do. By this attitude, we can be content in any circumstance because we are looking to Christ and living by His ability. We’re allowing Christ and His power to help us on a daily basis to do what we have to do. As we do, we are content, resting and knowing that God has met every need and will meet every need in the future. Like the Apostle Paul, we can depend on Christ and not on circumstances to be content.