Battling Discontent with God, Part 2

April, 2008

by: Shelbi Cullen

Written by Shelbi Cullen

“Christian Contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”- Jeremiah Burroughs

The idea of Christian contentment is completely contrary to the world’s point of view. The world pressures you to be discontented with your circumstances. Discontented with what you have, discontented with who you are married to, and discontented about the struggles that come your way. Paul on the other hand rejoices in his difficult circumstances. He learned to be satisfied in any and every situation. How was that possible? It was possible because he didn’t look to things to find his satisfaction; He simply rested in the Lord and found strength in Him.

Isn’t that what Jesus taught Paul in Second Corinthians 12? Paul was being tormented by a messenger of Satan (most likely a false teacher that was seeking to destroy Paul’s beloved church). This circumstance would surely tempt anyone to be discontented in his/her circumstance. But the Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Notice the phrase, “My grace is sufficient for you,” is in the present tense. What that means for every believer is that God’s grace is always accessible and constantly available to help us bear with whatever circumstances we might face.

This is exactly what Paul modeled for us as he sat in that Roman prison awaiting trial. Paul may not have taken pleasure in his suffering, but he did rejoice in the power of Christ that was revealed through his suffering. So if Paul put into practice contentment in his day-to-day life, is it possible that we too can learn to be content, even if we are dealing with truly difficult circumstances like cancer of a wayward child? According to God’s Word, the answer is a resounding “yes!”

Look at Philippians 4:10-13 where Paul outlines for every believer the fundamentals of true contentment.

First, true contentment is a ready acceptance of whatever God may allow or cause in our lives. “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly,” Paul wrote, “that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Paul had an unwavering confidence in God’s sovereign providence. He knew wholeheartedly that God indeed “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). Thus, Paul learned to be content. He believed fully that God orchestrates everything to accomplish His purposes. And, until the believer understands and embraces this truth, he/she will not be a contented person.

Second, true contentment is not controlled by circumstances. Paul writes in verses 12 and 13, “I“ know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” It didn’t matter that Paul had so little; he was satisfied. It did not matter that he lived in an isolated place, chained to a Roman soldier, having little food or lacking basic necessities. Paul was satisfied with his Spartan existence. Compare that attitude with what the world dictates: you need more to be happy. Yet, Paul says in verse 11, “I speak not from want…” In other words, he had no needs that were not being met.

Contentment, for Paul, was about discarding his security for Christ’s sake. He did not allow people or events to have power over him, to determine his misery or joy, or even hinder his ministry. He was satisfied at all times, in all places, and in all ways in Christ.

Dr. Wayne Mack wrote in his book, Down But Not Out, regarding the topic of contentment: “Believers should not be under their circumstances. Rather they should be living independently of what is happening to them—rejoicing in the Lord and content with whatever He sees fit to bring into our lives.”

That is what Paul had learned: to be contented, to be satisfied, and to be self-contained in Christ, in whatever circumstance he found himself.

Finally, true contentment is a joyful, humble, and undisturbed dependence upon Christ. Paul expressed in verse 13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Paul was simply contented to have Christ; He was his all in all and his satisfaction. Paul did not need anything the world had to offer in order to be content, because Christ was in him and was his all-sufficiency. If believers depend on their own power they will fail; if they depend on His strength, they can do all things through Him. That is why Paul said he could do all things, including handling poverty or handling abundance through Jesus Christ, who gave Him the strength.

Let’s combine these fundamental truths into one definition to help us understand what Paul is essentially teaching us in Philippians 4:10-13.

True contentment is a joyful, humble, uninterrupted dependence upon Christ, independent of circumstances. It is an attitude which will not be dictated by the material comfort or poverty which God may allow, or cause, in my life.