What does the day hold for you? Whatever it is … are you facing it with a sense of contentment?

As we draw towards the close of this letter, written from the prison cell, we come across perhaps the most remarkable words of the entire letter:

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound … I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Phil 4:11-13

Contentment can be a very elusive quality. Even when we ‘abound‘, and things are going well in our lives, we may not have any reason to be anxious, but we can still feel discontent. Why is that?

The reason is that we are focused on the circumstances of our lives and not focused on Christ. We are very good at identifying the things that are missing, and we begin to say “if only …”.

The same is true when things turn against us. We too often focus on what’s happening – the unfairness of it; or what’s not happening – the failure of others. The result is discontentment which can lead to a melacolic or bitter spirit.

Now, Paul had ample reason to complain, but he says to us: “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content“, and we immediately want to ask Paul to teach us what he has learnt. What’s the secret?

In verse 13, Paul obliges us: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me“. This verse is so often ripped out of its context and applied to all kinds of endeavours and adventures, but it’s primary context is in answer to this question: how can I be content?

Whatever you face today, whether it is something you look forward to, or something you dread, filter the whole day ‘through Christ’. Bring the day, with all its appointments and activities to the Lord, and from the start ground yourself in Christ. Realise that it is life lived with Christ that brings the contentment. The circumstances of life are like the changing weather systems – Christ is the Rock!