I love that Paul says that he learned to be content. It isn't in our nature to be content. It's natural for us to want what we don't have. We have to learn the art of being content. That makes me feel way better. Ok so the second awesome part of this verse is the fact that we are looking at a verse written be Paul. PAUL! He was brought so close to death so many times and then wrote this letter to the Philippians from prison. And he is talking about being content in whatever state He is in.
How much easier then, should it be for me to learn to be content. I've never been beaten almost to death or imprisoned. My trials and circumstances seem so insignificant when compared to Paul's. And even less when compared to Christ. Jesus was blameless. He never once did anything wrong yet tortured brutally, mocked, spat on, and crucified on a cross; the death of a criminal. And He didn't complain. He just took it all silently. Ok, I think I can deal with my situations and temptations and trials. Seriously, it's like a walk in the park.
So how do I learn to be content? I think it comes with getting the right perspective like I just did. I think it comes with the realization that God has a plan bigger than me. That He is taking care of me. Seriously, when it comes to realizing that, there is no longer any reason to be discontent. There is a purpose for the situation that I am in. God will provide for my needs. What else is there to need? I'm taken care of. Sometimes I get caught up in being overwhelmed in what the future brings but I need to be content in just knowing the next steps for here and now. It can be hard because I forget that God's plan for me is like a huge tapestry. I can only see the tangled mess of strings from the back. I can get frustrated because it doesn't look like anything but from above, it's beautiful. It's completed. I need to remember that My God is the Creator of the universe. Honestly, knowing that, how dare I be discontent? He takes care of everything. I just need to trust Him and learn to be content.
Application:
Today, I will memorize this verse and pray for contentment even in trials.
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