Being Content in Every Situation
The Bible says that godliness with contentment has great value.
But how can you be content when bad things happen to you?
*Today, we will show you Paul’s secret of contentment.
*And how you can make His secret yours.
*If you live content with your circumstances, you will stand out from the crowd. People will notice and will want what you have. You will draw people to Christ.
Paul wrote:
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV
Paul wrote this while in jail in Rome, waiting for trial. The Romans made him pay for his own food, clothing, etc. He refers to a time when no one sent him any money, but assures the Philippians that he was content – even hungry and needing clothes.
What is the secret of Paul’s contentment?
Paul discovered that no matter what his circumstance, Jesus was there with him. Paul wasn’t some superman, able to be content when his whole life fell apart. He was a man who had a close relationship with Jesus. Jesus supernaturally gave Paul the power to endure many things while keeping his heart at peace.
These aren’t Just Words. Paul’s Life confirms Had Learned to Be Content in Every Situation
In Acts 16:16-34 (NLT), Luke told what happened when Paul cast a demon out of a fortune telling girl and her masters got upset because she could no longer make money telling fortunes. A mob formed. Accusations were made. Paul and Silas were arrested:
22 … the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. …
25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”
Paul and Silas responded to being put in prison and being savagely beaten by singing and praying!
Paul didn’t hate the jailer. He didn’t walk out of the open jail door while the jailer was getting up. He even told the jailer they were all there so he wouldn’t kill himself.
Being content in disastrous circumstances comes from an inner peace that only God can give.
Jesus gave that peace to Paul. He gave it to you too.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27 NIV
Paul wants us to know the secret of his contentment wasn’t himself.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV
Paul was okay with his own weakness, because He knew that when he needed Him most, God would be there giving him strength.
God will do the same for you.
Do the Activation to develop a heart of contentment.
