The Joy of Learning Contentment
In 1965 the rock band, The Rolling Stones, released a song – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It became the Rolling Stones first number one hit in the United Sates.
In this world there are many people that seem to get no satisfaction out of life. They seem to be unhappy, unfulfilled and unsatisfied. They walk around in a season of discontent. They lack fulfillment in their lives. What is the secret of a satisfying life? Paul writes in Philippians chapter four:
“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV)
Go ahead and circle the word – “content”. Paul is saying that in whatever situation he has found himself he has learned how to be content. But let me ask the question: “What is contentment?” I don’t think it is apathy. I don’t think it is being melancholy. I don’t think it is a spirit of laziness or adapting an attitude of complacency. It seems to be connected to taking a realistic view of your situation and adjusting to it. Contentment is independent from circumstances. Its power comes from relying on God – no matter what situation you find yourself in.
How can I find joy in the jungle of life? How can I find contentment in the mist of catastrophe?
Paul says contentment is learned. It’s not something that is instantaneous. The situations of life are the school house of learning contentment. The problem is – many people turn bitter instead of better when life deals them a bad hand. Some people never learn how to be content and they live life unfulfilled, unsatisfied and unhappy. How do you learn contentment? Paul gives four insights into learning how to be content.
1. Learn Not to Compare Yourself To OTHERS
When you compare yourself to others two things can happen:
A. You become prideful – because you see yourself better than others.
B. You become jealous – because you don’t have what others have.
Comparing yourself to others always leads to discontent. Paul tells us in verse eleven:
“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)
Paul has learned contentment – by not comparing himself with others. If you want to learn to be content you have to avoid comparisons. There will always be people that make more money than you. There will always be people who are smarter than you. There will always be people who are better looking than you. So what? These comparisons have no bearing at all on your own personal happiness.
Folks you will never find happiness by looking around at what others have or don’t have. The only way you will find happiness is by looking up to God.
Here are three misconceptions about happiness:
A. I must have what others have to be happy.
This is a myth. It is not fads or fashion that provides happiness.
B. I must be liked by everyone in order to be happy.
All of us want to be liked by others – but the truth is – not everyone is going to like you. Even Jesus couldn’t please everybody. Only a fool would try to do what Jesus couldn’t do.
You cannot go through life without some disapproval. If you do anything – somebody is not going to like it. You don’t need everybody’s approval to be happy.
C. Having more will make me happy.
Howard Hughes was asked, "How much money does it take to make a man happy?" He said, "Just a little more." Folks here is what I have learned – as your income goes up, so does your expenses. Paul tells us in First Timothy:
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NKJV)
The fact of the matter is that all possessions are temporary. Even the bodies that we have will one day be placed into the ground. They’re just loaned to us. We need to take care of them and enjoy them and treat them with respect – but they are not going to last. Who you are as a person is more important than what you have. Life is about character building.
Let’s move to point two.
2. Learn To Adapt To CHANGE
Everything in life changes. If there is nothing else that is happening to you right now – you are at least getting older. Someone has said, “The only consistency in life – is that there is always change.” Life is full of ups and downs – emotionally, physically, mentally and financially. Everything in life is changing. If we could live long enough we could watch the mountains erode into the sea. Change is certain.
How well do you handle change? How well do you adapt to the changes around you?
Some people get moody. Some people get mad. Some people get frightened. Some people get 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. If we are going to be successful in life we need to learn to adjust to change in a positive manner. Your happiness in life is largely dependent upon your ability to adapt – to adjust to change. Change is going to happen whether you like it or not. Let’s look at what Paul tells us again in our focal verses:
“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11-12 (NKJV)
Paul says that he’s been through good times and bad times – but through it all he has learned how to be content in all situations.
Folks here is a fact: contentment is not based on your situations of life.
True joy and happiness do not come out of your situation or circumstances – but out of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul says that he’s learned to be content – independent of the circumstances that he is going through.
It is an interesting fact – but when Paul is writing this – he is sitting in a Roman prison. He is away from his friends – he is away from the comforts of life – yet he says: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”
I can live above the problems of this world. I can live above the hurts I have suffered. I can live above the bad memories. I can live in victory rather than live as a victim. I will not be manipulated by the mean things of life.
All of us have had bad things happen to us in this world – but how I handle them is a matter of choice. I choose not to be controlled by my circumstances. There are three ways I can react to the circumstances of life:
A. There are things I can control and I do.
If I don’t like what I’m watching I switch the channel. If I don’t like the way I am thinking about something – I change the way I think about it. If I am hungry – I get up and eat. If I am thirsty – I go get a drink – I understand there are some things I can do to improve my situation – and I do them.
B. There are things I can control and I don’t.
In some situations I choose not to react. An example of this is – learning to say the right words at the right time. This is a great skill. Proverbs says:
“The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry.” Proverbs 25:11 (MSG)
Sometimes – knowing when to say something is as important as what is said.
Be careful on this one though – don’t let this become an excuse for laziness. Use wisdom when you choose not to change something. If you can change a situation and you don’t – be ready to live with the consequences.
C. There are things I cannot control.
This is where you need contentment – when you find yourself in uncontrollable circumstances – some things that are beyond your power. You have done the best you can – but they are still out of your control. This is where you need to learn to relax – trust God and adapt. Sometimes we have to adapt when things or people just don’t change.
The key to adapting is trusting God. A verse in Romans tells us:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
God will see to it that not only the good stuff in our lives are used to His glory – but the bad stuff too. This fact is crucial to learning to adjust. If you don’t adjust you’ll break down or burn out.
Circumstances demand that we adapt to them.
3. Learn To Draw On Christ’s POWER
Instead of depending on your own strength and effort – we must learn to draw on Christ’s power. Listen to what Paul says in verse thirteen:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Go ahead and circle the word “all” in that verse. Can you handle the kids tearing the place apart? Can you handle loosing your job? Can you handle loosing tons of money on you 401K? Can you handle the relationship when it seems to be falling apart?
Paul says, “In Christ’s strength – I can handle it all.” His power to handle it all was not his own strength. He had learned to rely on God’s strength. He did not sit around and mope – he had learned how to cope. God has more power than we can even imagine – and He is willing to strengthen you.
The Bible in Basic English translates the verse this way:
“I am able to do all things through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (BBE)
The Message Bible says it this way:
“Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” Philippians 4:13 (MSG)
God is in the life change business and what you to become stronger through His power.
Where do you need strength? Do you need to get control of your time? – Your mouth? – Your temper? – Your weight? – A bad habit? Paul says, “Through Christ’s strength – I can master anything with Christ’s help.”
Are you facing a big problem in life? God wants to give you the strength to make it through. Learning to be content in life comes from the confidence that God will see you through. That He will give you the power to meet each and every situation and circumstance head on. Contentment involves confidence – confidence – not in your own power – but learning to rely on God’s power. Let’s look at verse thirteen again:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
The Greek word for "strength" is the word from which we get the word "dynamite". Paul is saying, “Jesus Christ is the dynamite in my life. He is the one who gives me continuous energy. He is the one who gives me energy. He is the one who gives me power. I rely on His power not my own. His power will never run out. I am confident that I can cope – because I rest in the hope of Jesus Christ.”
Let’s move on to point four:
4. Learn To Trust GOD
This point is key in learning to be successful in learning contentment.
Look at what Paul says in verse nineteen:
“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
Folks – that is a statement of trust – it is a statement of faith. If you are a child of God – He has made promise after promise that He will take care of you.
Did you know that there are over 6000 promises in the Bible which you can claim? Let me just give you one example. Follow along with me as I read out of Matthew chapter six:
“Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them. But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.” Matthew 6:31-33 (GW)
In this passage – God gives a promise. If I put His kingdom first – He will take care of my daily needs. Put Him at the center and everything else will be taken care of. My problem is – sometimes I don’t trust Him as I should. Sometimes I try to take control and try to be successful on my own effort. Sometimes I push God out of the way and try to do things my way. Usually when that happens – I fail. But the Bible says:
“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NKJV)
The 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 have not learned to trust in God. You were made for a purpose and that is to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. You were made with a God shaped vacuum in your life that only God can fill. When you try to find satisfaction in life through people, popularity, possessions, or prestige – you will never be content – you will never be satisfied. Jesus said:
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 (NKJV)
Abundant life comes from having a relationship with God and learning to trust Him. Will you trust Him today?
(I would like to thank Richard Warren for his sermon starter ideas.)
