Contentment

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you notice a common theme? The subject of a devotional, an email that comes over your favorite prayer loop, Sunday’s sermon, this weeks subject at your small group Bible study…

Those are the times I pay close attention, because I know God has something teach or show me. This has happened over the last week and the subject has been about contentment.

Paul touches on this subject very clearly in Philippians 4:11-13:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

At first glance, it’s easy to assign material needs to these verses, and you would be correct. But Paul addresses a deeper level in the latter part of verse 12—“being content in any and every situation.”

On daily basis, we struggle with this issue in our unequally yoked marriages. How do we find contentment in the midst of conflict? How do we reach the point of saying like Paul did, “I am content in my situation?”

First, there’s one fallacy in the questions I posed above. If you’ll notice my emphasis is on “we.” Yet if you look at verse 13, Paul gives us the answer to those “how” questions.

We are not capable of finding this contentment alone. Paul gives all the credit to Jesus, totally and completely. He recognized his own limitations and believed completely in Christ to make up for what he lacked. And more.

But the true, underlying theme here goes even deeper than contentment and is true in any situation, no matter what it may be. And I can say this with certainty. Keeping our eyes on God is the key—to contentment, to peace, to hope, to perseverance.

He’s our one and only answer to everything we need. And more.

Praying and believing,
Dineen

Comments

[Lynn]

Whoa, Dineen…

I have been on this same track all this week. Freaky. I was reading my Bible a few minutes ago and this is the passage.

Luke 12:27-31 27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

You and I must be worrying about things we need to turn over to Him.

O Lord, today fee us from our thoughts about the “things” in life and let us just live for You. Just for today, let us not worry about everything going on around us but to just focus on you and your heart for us. In Jesus name, Amen.

[Angie]

Oh, Dineen---your last statement is a "framer"...you know...the kind you pluck up on the wall and live by--!!! "He’s our one and only answer to everything we need. And more."
I have told that at least 100 times to my girl. Keep believing God for the answer...it is on the way. Though we can't see it...it is coming.
You are a blessed friend---and I love you!

[Angela]

How true this is. I use to feel I made a mistake marrying my husband. The Devil convinced me to use him as an excuse to sin. I used him (my husband) very well. I did not see the things I was doing as being sinful, but deep in my heart I knew. The Lord placed me in a new Church that feed me because I was spiritually starving. As I grew I learned to be content in my situation. Then I thought maybe my marriage wasn't a mistake, it was meant to be. I found out it was, my husband was saved in Jan. of this year. I became content with where I was and God did the rest. Thank you for this devotion.

[Dineen Miller]

Aww, Angie. Thank you. Love you too, girl.

Angela, wow, wow, WOW! That's amazing. I'm so glad you shared this. And I just praise God for what he's done in yours and your husband's lives. That's so awesome!

Thank you for the prayer, Lynn! Amen!!!

[Helen]

Great post. My son is memorizing these exact verses, they are very encouraging.