Sunday Reflections -- Contentment

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13)

The Greek word for “content” in the above verse is “autarkes” and means sufficient in oneself, self-sufficient, needing no assistance.

The hard part is learning to be content in “any and every situation.”  It’s easy to be content when things are going well, when the refrigerator is well stocked, when we’re both healthy, when the children are doing well, when the retirement account is growing.

It’s much harder to be content when money’s tight, when our health is not as good, when our kids are having a difficult time.

Paul doesn’t give us an out and say we can learn to be content in the good and not so bad situations in our lives.  Nope, he says “any” and “every” situation.  That doesn’t leave much wiggle room.

Fortunately he gives us a clue as to how we can learn to be content in any and every situation in the above verse:

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

We can learn from our mistakes, we can learn from the experience of others, we can learn from a teacher – but the real test is when we try to exercise what we have learned.

It’s the presence of Jesus in our lives that gives us the strength to be content – even when life sucks.