1 Secret Series

• In the midst of all his trials, Paul kept his focus on heavenly realities (Col. 3:1–2). In 2 Corinthians 4:17, the apostle wrote: [17] For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (ESV). With that perspective, is it any wonder that no amount of pain, suffering, or disappointment could affect his contentment?

Illustration: Viktor Frankl spent years in a Nazi prison camp where persons were subjected to subhuman and antihuman treatment that threatened annihilation of decency, of the worth and dignity of persons, as well as physical being. Out of that experience Frankl developed a psychotherapeutic process called logotherapy and wrote an inspiring and insightful book entitled Man’s Search For Meaning. From his death camp observations, he documented the amazing coping powers of humans to retain inner freedom. He wrote: “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last pieces of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” (As recorded in Dunnam, M. D., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1982). Vol. 31: Galatians / Ephesians / Philippians / Colossians / Philemon. The Preacher’s Commentary Series (314–315). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.)

• In other words, we can’t always choose our circumstances, but we can choose how to react and what to think about those circumstances.

Finally, we can find the “1 Secret” to contentment for:

3) A Contented Person Is Strengthened by Divine Power (Philippians 4:13)

Philippians 4:13. [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (ESV)

No matter how difficult his struggles may have been, Paul had a spiritual undergirding, an invisible means of support. His adequacy and sufficiency came from his union with the adequate and sufficient Christ: (Gal. 2:20). I can do (Ischuo) means “to be strong,” “to have power,” or “to have resources.” It is variously translated “overpowered” (Acts 19:16), “prevailing” (Acts 19:20), and “effective” (James 5:16). Paul was strong enough to endure anything through Him who strengthens him (1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:17). As with every other line of Scripture, the assertion “I can do all things” is controlled by the context. The ‘all things’ in this verse refer back to ‘any and every circumstance’ in verse 12. By a strengthening supply from without, and not by the summoning up of resources from within, Paul not only coped with the tyranny of circumstances/experiences, whether favourable or unfavourable, but conquered them—both types. The same could and should be true for the Philippians and for Christian people generally (Jones, H. R. (2010). For the Sake of the Gospel: Philippians Simply Explained. Welwyn Commentary Series (154). Darlington, England: EP Books.).

Thus, what Paul says is that in whatever circumstances I find myself, in whatever extremes—whether experiencing abundance with the wealthy or fellowshiping with the poor or struggling to proclaim the gospel to people who don’t want to hear or enduring the wrath of the establishment or bringing peace to the church or languishing in prison—I can be content and “can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul is confident that he will be divinely strengthened to do anything and everything that God calls him to do. Not only could Paul be content and confident in every circumstance, he could also be sure that he would be equipped with divine power to deal with it (Hughes, R. K. (2007). Philippians: The fellowship of the gospel. Preaching the Word (186). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books).