A Closer Walk

Contentment. The state of being content. Is contentment inherent in human beings? Is it a gift from God? In other words, does our God grant us contentment? Let's see what God says about contentment in the writings of the Apostle Paul. "Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am," Philippians 4:11 NASB.

Is contentment inherent in human beings? No. Is it a gift from God? Maybe. But notice what the Bible says, "...I have learned to be content." From this we gather that contentment is a learned response. We can learn to be content. And according to Paul we can learn to be content in whatever circumstances we might find ourselves. But we might say inwardly, "Sure, I could be content if I were living a life of ease and luxury." This letter from Paul to the church at Philippi was written while Paul was in prison. This is one of the so-called "Prison Epistles," which includes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
In addition to the time Paul spent in prison, he gives us a review of the things he has personally experienced, which is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. "...in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure," 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 NASB. This makes the hardships endured by our pioneers and the Pony Express riders look like a vacation cruise.
But the Bible tells us that we can learn to be content in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves. Perhaps it is helpful when enduring hardship to focus on our God, rather than focus on the hardship itself. It might also be good to remember that there is a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is totally dependent on events and circumstances. Joy is an inner sense of peace; coupled with the realization that whatever comes about out of our experiences is not entirely dependent on us. During our life on Earth situations will arise that we didn't expect or plan for. Anyone remember a pandemic? But we navigate through them with a reliance on our Lord, while doing our part. Just as in the case of a farmer, if we wish to reap we must first sow; no sowing, no reaping. But ultimately God causes the growth. "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth," 1 Corinthians 3:6 NASB.
Being content is not dependent on our personal happiness. Because, as one Pastor said, "Happiness depends on happenings." Rather, we can learn, just as the Apostle Paul did, that we can be content in whatever circumstances we are in.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," Philippians 4:13 NKJV.