Pastor's Corner
“Who’s in Control?”
____________________________________________________________________________________SCRIPTURE
Philippians 4: 10-13 NASB - 10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. __________________________________________________________________________________COMMENTAY
The apostle Paul stated something in these verses that most of us usually miss. He knew how to be content in any situation. Notice in the last part of verse 12 where it says, “I have learned the secret.” The word learned implies a process. As Paul grew in his spiritual life, he discovered the truth about contentment. He referred to it as a secret because, the truth that he eventually discovered many believers did not know at that time. It is a truth that we all search for in our own lives and yet often miss.
Paul’s discussion regarding contentment closes with a verse that many of us learned as children. Unfortunately, for a lot of us, no one explained the content of this popular Bible verse. Paul was referring to his ability to be content in every circumstance.
__________________________________________________________________________LIFE APPLICATION
Take a closer look at Paul’s secret. What is the secret of contentment? From what he says, I believe real contentment hinges on what’s happening inside us, not around us. Think of it this way. When we become discontented, the first two things we lose are peace and joy. But the Bible teaches that peace and joy are to be fruits of the Spirit. If we lose our peace and joy when our circumstances turn bad, the peace and joy we were experiencing were not fruits of the Spirit; they were fruits of good circumstance. As long as our contentment can be destroyed or changed by our environment, we can never be content in any circumstances.
Paul knew a better type of contentment than we are use to. Circumstances didn’t steal his peace and joy; what happened around him didn’t overwhelm what was happening in him. His contentment was internal from start to finish.
The key to contentment is learning that you can do everything God wants you to do through His strength. We cannot do everything, but He will help us do what He has planned for us in our lives. We can be content in knowing that He enables us to deal with all things in life as we depend on Him. Contentment is a daily struggle. It is something we learn by sticking to the basics—cultivating a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, living daily, and knowing that Christ strengthens us for every challenge. If you are having trouble with contentment in your life, try doing these four suggestions to improve your daily walk with Christ.
1. Memorize and mediate on Philippians 4:10-13.
2. When feelings of discontentment creep in, refuse to blame your circumstances; take responsibility for your feelings.
3. Admit to the Lord that you have allowed your contentment to become too attached to your circumstances.
4. Thank God for meeting your needs.
comment posted by MIssionary abel Dimatulac on 07-26-2009
"As long as our contentment can be destroyed or changed by our environment, we can never be content in any circumstances. " Amen Pastor!!! Many thanks
