‘I have learned to be content’ is a rather bold statement especially in the modern era of having it all right now. Yes, the Apostle Paul did live in a simpler time but likely lived a fuller life than most of us envision. He was highly educated, well-respected, broadly traveled and knew more of the important things about the workings of life than most of us have considered. He also had been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, diseased, suffered loss and been displaced and in discouraging circumstances more often than we could comprehend. In light of all he had endured, we could expect him to solicit sympathy for himself but not so:
Contentment—does it come from what we have or as in Paul’s experience, from whose we are? Circumstances do matter but relationship with the One who is greater than the circumstance is of higher benefit. Contentment is an attitude of sufficiency, that enough is enough, that more is not necessarily better. Value has more to do with eternal benefit—of what is accomplished with eternal consequences—than momentary pleasure. Little of the circumstances Paul lists were pleasant in the moment of experiencing but in hindsight, he could see the value for furthering the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The accurate witness to all of who the LORD is was more fundamental to him than the ease of situations. So he could say,
‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’ is his acknowledgment that the LORD was able to make possible all that was essential for the fulfilling of his service to God. Often he did not fully understand the process of what God was doing but he was steadfast in the LORD’s ability to accomplish God’s intentions no matter the appearance of the circumstance.
Have you come to that assurance that the LORD has your life in His hands and that as long as you are willing, He can keep you in His desires for you no matter what? Have you determined to live content in Him rather than in ease of happenstance?