I have a bright pink t-shirt which says on the back, “Whatever the circumstances, be content.” Below displayed prominently on the t-shirt is an enormous pig wearing on its head a pink bandana and holding a massive sign with the following two words on it.
BE CONTENT.
Off to the side of the pig is a Bible verse reference. Philippians 4:11.
If you look up the verse, this is what you will find!
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:” Philippians 4:11 NKJV
The next three verses in the Bible which are not referred to on the t-shirt are:
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13 NKJV
God is telling us through the apostle Paul that no matter our circumstances we can BE CONTENT! And Paul says he LEARNED to BE CONTENT regardless his circumstances which should give hope to those of us who struggle to BE CONTENT no matter our circumstances.
I confess I have struggled greatly over the years with BEING CONTENT despite my circumstances which overall have been very challenging. But I find hope in knowing I can LEARN to BE CONTENT.
What do you suppose is the key to FINDING CONTENTMENT no matter what we face in life?
I believe the key is LEARNING to ABIDE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
What does it look like to ABIDE IN JESUS?
Turning to the Lord, putting our faith in Him, putting our trust in Him, rejoicing in Him, crying out to Him, praying, seeking, hearing, and obeying God, resting in Him, looking to Him, finding hope, peace, and joy in Him, spending time alone with Him, fellowshipping and communing with Him, being loved by Him and loving Him in return, praising and worshiping Him, focusing on Him, putting our expectation in Him, finding strength in Him, reading the Bible and living by it, blessing and thanking the Lord, meditating on God and the Bible, experiencing and enjoying the presence of God, etc.
Simply put, CONTENTMENT can be found in and through the Lord Jesus Christ and in a deeply intimate relationship with Him and in our being totally devoted to Him and in learning day by day to abide in Him!
True rock solid steadfast unwavering CONTENTMENT then is NOT ultimately about our circumstances but instead is about THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!
So let us learn day by day to ABIDE IN JESUS and to find contentment and all we need in and through the Lord! Hallelujah!
Oh, dear Lord God, help us to learn to focus on you, to rejoice in you, to abide in you, to look to you, to live for you, to be totally devoted to you, and to find contentment in and through you no matter what we face day by day. Oh, help us, oh Lord, AMEN!