Contentment is learned and found
independent from our circumstances .
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The Rock Band U2 had a hit song
entitled, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”. The Rolling Stones had a song entitled, “I
Can’t Find No Satisfaction”. It’s also
the title for many peoples lives.
Discontentment in life is a really big issue. If you were to believe what the commercials
tell you, you would believe that contentment was something that could be sprayed on, rolled,
inhaled, eaten or driven. As if all of these products would give you lasting contentment. They don't.
What is the secret of a
satisfying life? Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV) …… I have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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…….
What
is contentment? It is not apathy, laziness, complacency.
Contentment is independent from circumstances. You do not
base your happiness on the situation around you. Happiness comes from within. How do you get
that kind of contentment and satisfaction
in life? Paul says contentment is
learned. It's not something that's instant, in a one time experience. Life is a school of contentment and the problem is most
people never learn and they die unfulfilled and unsatisfied and unhappy.
Contentment is learned when
we avoid comparisons. Comparing yourself to others
always leads to discontent. v. 11 "I
have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" and that comes from not
comparing yourself. If you want to learn to be content you have to avoid
comparisons. There will always be people that make more money than you, who have greater
opportunities than you have, who have fewer problems. So what? That has no bearing at all on your own personal
happiness.
We learn contentment by adjusting to change. Life is
full of ups and downs -- emotionally, physically, mentally, financially.
There's nothing certain in life except change. Change is certain. How well do you handle change? How well do
you handle when things are shaken up a little?
Do you get frightened? Moody? Angry? Uptight? Paul says
that one of the secrets of learning to be content in life is the ability to adjust to all kinds
of circumstances and change. Paul says you need
to learn to adjust to it. Your happiness in life will be largely dependent upon
your ability to adapt, adjust, be flexible. Change is going to happen whether
you like it or not. Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
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. Paul says he's seen good
times and bad times. What did experience teach Paul? He learned to be independent of circumstances. That is the secret of a satisfying life. You
don't get your joys or happiness out of things, people, possessions, pleasures,
profits, popularity or prestige.
Paul says he's learned to be independent of circumstances.
We
learn contentment as we draw on Christ’s power.
Instead of just depending on my own
effort to make it through circumstances and my own energy, I must learn to draw on Christ's power. v. 13 "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
You can handle it when the kids are tearing the place
apart, make it through the stock market
crash, when you have problems and you don't know where to go. I can handle
everything, Paul says. I can cope. He had an
external power source. He was depending, not on his own power, but God's
power.
Last, we learn to be content by trusting God to meet
our needs. This is the secret of
satisfaction in life. Philippians
4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all
your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Not some or most -- all. When I buy
an insurance policy I read through it to find out what is covered. When I know what's covered, I don't worry -- it's covered. The
Bible is God's insurance policy. There are over 6000 promises in the
Bible which you can claim. (see Matt 6:31ff)
Put God first and God will take care
of your needs. Put Him at the center and everything else will be taken
care of.
The real reason that people are unhappy, unsatisfied,
and unfulfilled is because Jesus Christ is not the center of their lives. They
are looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. They run from this to that, looking for
something that is going to satisfy them. From relationship to relationship, from job to job, from hobby to sports to
recreation, fads, therapy, books, seminars -- and
yes even from one church to another; looking for the key. But God has laid it out
very clearly. You were made with a God shaped vacuum in your life and
nothing will fill that void except God!
Read: Ecclesiastes 9:3-8 & Philippians 4:10-13
