Introduction

When I was younger I often had these dreams of being a professional sportsman. I would watch those who were older than me on TV who were living the dream and think that in a few years I could get there. I would practice my tennis a bit harder that week, or try to hit golf balls a bit harder across the driving range.

Then I got to be about the same age as those guys and thought well I could still be a professional sportsman, just a slightly older professional sportsman. I mean, there are some late bloomers, right? Well, now I am older than almost all of them, so it has become rather unlikely that this is going to be life’s trajectory anymore!

Don’t we often feel like we are going after a dream we have for our lives, or possibly a dream we had for our lives that hasn’t panned out the way we envisioned? The result is often something we call discontentment. Contentment often feels elusive, hard to find, close but just out of reach. We want to put our heads on our pillows each night and feel content with who we are regardless of the situation we find ourselves in – but our reality is often peppered with more anxiety, stress and discontent than we would like to admit.

Defining “Contentment”

“Contentment” – a state of satisfaction and happiness where one feels a sense of fulfillment and peace with their current situation, regardless of external circumstances. It is an emotional state of being where one experiences a lack of desire for more or different than what is present. 

True contentment is a deep-seated sense of accepting who and where you are at any given moment.

Psychology Today gives a deeper explanation: I’ve talked before about how, instead of trying to seek happiness, we should aim for the more manageable goal of contentment. I think this is something we would all do well to wrap our heads around because constant happiness, as it stands, is fleeting. It’s a momentary thing that lasts for a day, at most, before the everyday starts to come flooding back into the picture.

Contentment, on the other hand, is the feeling of being okay with the way things stand. It’s being comfortable with life – not ecstatic happiness but also not sadness or anger.

Mayo Clinic says: Despite what the fairy tales depict, happiness doesn’t appear by magic. It’s not even something that happens to you. It’s something you can cultivate. Only a small percentage of the variation in people’s reports of happiness can be explained by differences in their circumstances. It appears that the bulk of what determines happiness is due to personality and — more importantly — thoughts and behaviors that can be changed.

The challenge of contentment 

While these definitions vary slightly, I find myself thinking they sound pretty good! If it’s possible to live contentedly, I’m all in. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, achieving contentment can be quite elusive—it largely depends on one’s personality. This is challenging because we all have different personalities and need to change our thinking and behavior. Sure, we could do that, but what exactly should we focus on thinking about? And what specific behaviors should we adopt? The intention is good, but is there really a seven-step method to success? I believe the high levels of depression, anxiety, stress, suicide, and brokenness we see in our world indicate that contentment is not a simple formula to follow.

So, how content do you feel at the moment?

Are you really content?

Does it feel as though there is something missing in your life, and if you had that one thing you would be happier? Perhaps a relationship, more money, possessions, a holiday or job.

Does it feel like you are not able to truly rest or enjoy life because you are permanently thinking about what’s next, or what has to be done? The next work project, destination to travel to, friend to catch up with, social media post, Netflix episode.. – the list goes on. 

Do you feel the need to escape the place you are currently in because then everything would be better?

All those are indicators that you are probably not living in a place of contentment. 

If that’s you, I have great news – there is a secret to finding contentment. We can all find this secret and learn how to live out this secret each and every day, regardless of our circumstances.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13

Let’s be people who prioritize God’s word, who love it. This passage was primarily about physical or financial needs, although the apostle Paul alludes to many other life situations he had faced. Notice how he says “in whatever situation”, and “in every circumstance”. That gives us a pretty large scope for us to apply this to in our lives!

For some context, Paul experienced many personal hardships, including physical sufferings, shipwrecks, beatings, and general hardships associated with his missionary journeys (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). When he wrote the Phillipians, he was under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before Caesar. His imprisonment was due to his preaching of the Gospel, which had led to numerous conflicts with both Jewish and Roman authorities.

What situations are you facing right now? What life needs or struggles are you going through? This is for you.

Paul says that he has learned the secret to being content in the midst of his varying life situations. “Learned” – Being content is a learned state of being. Contentment is not accidental. There are factors that affect us such as upbringing, personality, people we associate with, countries we live in and more – but we can still learn to be content! 

That is wonderful! There is a path to contentment. But how?

The Path to Contentment

Paul answers the “How?” question at the end of this passage:

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things..” Many people use this verse to claim that they can achieve any personal goal, such as wealth, success in business, athletic achievements, or overcoming any obstacle, simply because Christ strengthens them. This leads to a “name it and claim it” mentality, where faith is seen as a means to personal gain or worldly success. So, this doesn’t mean you can suddenly become a professional athlete at 39 years old. I was hoping that was still possible for me, but this is definitely not what Paul is getting at! 

It does mean that I can get through any situation, be all that God has created me to be and to achieve on earth, all He assigned to me. 

In short, to fulfill my God given Purpose. 

Wow. It is possible to live the exact life, and do all things that God has called me to be and to do. Amazing. It is possible to live the exact life God created me for. I can live out the purpose of God for me. Just this alone brings a feeling of contentment. First part: the purpose of God!

“Through Him..” Jesus is the doorway into a contented life. I can only be and do all that I was created for Through Him. He is the source. He is the center. Often we feel it is “through me”, or “because of me”. This feeling fosters pride instead of humility, and creates immense stress when things don’t go as planned. 

There is great contentment when we realise life doesn’t ultimately rest on me. I can live this life through Him, with Him, in His presence day by day. I can live with the presence of God, sitting at His feet. I can walk with Him, and have a friendship with the King. I can utterly depend on Him in every circumstance. He is not in a panic, stressed out or anxious – and therefore I don’t need to be. He will get me through, He will lead me. There is someone greater than me who has got this in hand. This leads to contentment.

“Who strengthens me..” Your strength doesn’t come from mustering up the contented life by trying harder, thinking more, putting self-help tips into practice. Your strength comes from the supernatural strength that He gives you. Rely on and trust in His power for every life situation. Invite the supernatural power of Christ to invade your life and give you all that you need in each moment of every day.

Don’t try to live through your own ability, your own skill, but through His. If it rests on us, it’s great when things go well, and everyone loves us and we experience success. What about when things go badly? The end result is stress, depression, anxiety

This is Paul’s secret to contentment: The purpose of God. The presence of God. The power and strength of God.

You might ask why do I have to learn this secret? Why wasn’t it automatic for Paul? Paul heard Jesus speak to Him audibly, he saw the dead raised, he was remarkably astute, he achieved much. Why did he have to learn how to be content? The answer to this is because we are imperfect, fallen people in constant need of refocus on the truth. We are sheep in need of the Shepherd. We need to remind ourselves of the truth of this passage regularly.

You have a purpose in God, found by being in the presence of God, and achieved by relying on the power of God.

References:

• Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Contentment. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contentment
• Psychology Today. (n.d.). What is happiness? Psychology Today. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/happiness
• Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Despite what the fairy tales depict, happiness doesn’t appear by magic. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved May 23, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/happiness/art-20045714