THE SECRET TO CONTENTMENT PHILIPPIANS 4:11‐13 "Why do we always seem to want more? Why is it so hard to accept less? Why are our hearts so easily captivated by the promise of bigger and better? Why is it so difficult to be satisfied?" 1 What is the secret of contentment? In Philippians 4:11‐13, the Apostle Paul describes his having learned the secret of being content. And that passage contains some important lessons for us to learn because, let's face it, none of us are immune from the struggle for contentment. Regardless of your age, your gender, your past or your present, all of us can be tempted by discontentment. And dissatisfaction can be an incredibly destructive force in our lives, and can reveal itself in a number of ways. For you, maybe discontent results in anger: a simmering frustration, or a short fuse; grumbling and complaining, fault‐finding, criticizing and condemning. Or maybe discontent for you leads to depression and despair. Are you given to moping or pouting? Do you sulk, brood, or whine? Does disappointment with life rob you of joy and satisfaction? Maybe discontent for you reveals itself in fear and anxiety? Are you given to worry? Are your thoughts consumed with "what if" questions? Do you struggle to find peace of mind? Do your fears keep you from contentment? For many of us, discontent leads to a restlessness ‐‐ a covetousness that thinks contentment will be found in having, whether in possessing a person, a thing or an achievement. "I'll finally be happy when I have ________"... you fill in the blank. Is your heart captivated by the next thing that promises satisfaction? Whatever sinful fruit it bears, discontentment can wreak havoc on our faith, our testimony and our relationships with others. That's why contentment was a crucial component of Paul's character, and was especially important due to the unique challenges that accompanied his role as an Apostle, as a spiritual leader. One of the vital traits of leadership that is often overlooked and neglected is contentment. Husbands, Fathers ‐‐ let me tell you, discontent can have profound consequences for your leadership in your home. If a leader is constantly expressing dissatisfaction with the people and circumstances of his life ‐‐ whether through anger, despair, anxiety or coveting ‐‐ the 1
Adapted from Paul Tripp's "Working Your Way Up," www.paultripp.com/articles/posts, 12/11/2012. 1 consequences for his family can be devastating and tragic. And that is why, on Father's Day I want husbands and dads ‐‐ but really all of us ‐‐ to grasp what the apostle Paul teaches about contentment in the life of a believer. We'll be focusing on Philippians 4:11‐13 this morning, but I want to start reading in verse 10 to establish the context. It says there in Philippians 4 beginning with verse 10... 10 But 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. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I 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. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. In this passage, Paul says he has learned the secret to contentment. Now, before we get to the points of the sermon today, let's first define what it is we are talking about. What do we mean by "contentment"? And because our hearts are deceitful and tend to twist good things into evil things, let's start by ruling out what "contentment" is NOT. Biblical contentment is not about feeling good all of the time. In fact, contentment is not a feeling at all. Rather, it is an attitude of the heart ‐‐ a mindset, a disposition. It is not to be confused with the worldly pursuit of happiness and pleasure that our modern culture seems obsessed with. It is not the absences of pain or suffering or concern. In fact, as we will see in our study today, Christians are able to be content in some of the most trying and difficult circumstances. And yet, biblical contentment is not stoicism ‐‐ where we try to ignore the impact that trials have on us, detaching our emotions from the pain of life. Nor is contentment some Pollyanna Sunshine approach that glosses over the troubles and difficulties we encounter. "Just buck‐up, Buttercup. Turn that frown upside down." Such trite platitudes are not only naive and unrealistic, they can be hurtful to anyone in the grip of genuine anguish. Biblical contentment is not to be confused with fatalism, either ‐‐ a hopeless acceptance that this is just the way things are, so better get used to it. Contentment is not indifference or apathy ‐‐ a lack of concern for things that are legitimately troubling. It's not about being too easily satisfied. 2 Biblical contentment is none of those things. Rather, it is the ability to face the situations that come our way without being consumed by them. It may surprise you to know that the Greek word translated as "content" in this passage [autarkes (au‐tar'‐kace)] actually means "to be self‐sufficient", in the sense that you are not subject to or dependant upon external circumstances. Biblical contentment doesn't ride the roller‐coaster of changes in the situations we face. It doesn't deny the difficulty of trials or the delight of blessings, but neither is it determined by those things. Contentment guards us from the never‐ending treadmill of pursuing fleeting satisfaction in the things of this world. Ultimately, as we will see in Paul's example, biblical contentment views our circumstances here on earth as a means of glorifying Christ by finding our ultimate satisfaction in Him. We often get those things flipped around, wanting God to make our circumstances satisfying, rather than looking at our circumstances ‐‐ good or bad ‐‐ as pointing us towards finding our satisfaction in God. Finally, we need to understand that contentment is not an ends in itself. Being content should not be the goal I am living for. In fact, I can be content for all the wrong reasons. If I am content because everything seems to be going my way because everyone is serving my agenda and all my fleshy desires are being fed, then I am not experiencing the kind of contentment Paul had; the kind of contentment that transcends my situation; the kind of contentment that is enduring, lasting. We'll talk more about that as we move through this passage. But now, with all those things in mind, our first point this morning is this... 1. Contentment is not a matter of what we lack. (vv. 11‐12) In other words, what we lack does not determine whether we can be content or not. We see this first in verse 11, as Paul told the Philippians he was not speaking "out of need." You see, the Philippians had sent Paul a gift to help support him and take care of his needs. But while Paul was grateful, his thankfulness wasn't tied to what the gift meant for him personally. Look what he says in verse 10. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly... (Why, what was the reason for his rejoicing?)...that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Paul's gratitude wasn't tied to the Philippians' gift itself or the comfort it brought to him. He was thankful for the Philippians' revived care for him. He was thankful for their love. And not because he was emotionally needy, but because it was evidence of spiritual growth in them. 3 Further down in verses 15‐16 we see this even more clearly as Paul recounts the faithfulness of the Philippians in caring for him through their gifts. Then look at what he says in verse 17... "Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account." Paul was thankful for the Philippians' care, not because it profited him materially, but because it profited them spiritually. Paul wasn't using the Philippians. He wasn't exploiting their concern to serve his comfort. And he wanted them to be assured of that. So he tells them, his words of thanks were not coming from his own sense of need. To the contrary, Paul adds in verse 11... "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Then, continuing in verse 12, Paul provides 3 pairs of contrasting situations covering generally every circumstance he has been through, both good & bad. He says, "I can get along with humble means, and I can live in prosperity. I can be filled or go hungry. I can manage abundance or suffer need." So we have these three pairs of contrasting situations covering the entire spectrum of life experience. For now, as we consider this first point, that contentment is not a matter of what we lack, let's just focus on the difficult circumstances he mentions: humble means, going hungry and suffering need. All of those phrases express a lack of something ‐‐ a shortfall, a deficiency that makes life difficult. And who would deny that life is harder when we lack things? Certainly, scripture doesn't deny that. It's the very reason God is shown to have compassion for the poor, the sick, blind, the lame, the widow and the orphan. What they lack, makes life harder. The danger comes when we allow what we lack to define us. That happens when our view of life get's shrunk down to the here and now, as if this existence was all there is. Let's face it, when this life is all that matters to us, then what we lack ‐‐ what makes this life hard ‐‐ becomes magnified, taking on unwarranted significance, overwhelming us. Our ability to enjoy life ‐‐ to be content ‐‐ is then limited by what we lack. And that reveals itself in our discontentment. Have you ever known an Eeyore? You remember Eeyore ‐‐ he's is the donkey of the Winnie the Pooh stories who has an amazing talent for seeing past the good and finding the bad. Ever know a person who is like that? The person who is never happy, never satisfied. When you ask them how they are doing, something is always wrong? They always have something negative to say, some fault to find, some blame to lay. The person who thinks criticism is a spiritual gift. (It's not, by the way.) That is a person who is seeking contentment in their circumstances, and is constantly disappointed by what they find lacking. 4 If we are honest, all of us have a little bit of Eeyore in us, don't we? We look at the people and situations of our lives and we find them lacking. And so we are discontent with our jobs, discontent with our marriages, with our family relationships, or with our friendships. Our relationship with the local church is not immune either. Church leaders, ministries, worship services are all found to be lacking. And so they all become the targets of our dissatisfaction. And what makes this so tempting is that our discontent seems justified because, guess what ‐‐ they ARE lacking! Every human being we meet is not only limited and flawed, but corrupted by indwelling sin. Every aspect of creation has been impacted by the curse. It is all inherently lacking! And so it seems so reasonable to blame our discontent on things outside of us, on the people and situations of our lives. Now, please understand, I am not suggesting that what this world lacks isn't problematic ‐‐ it is. That's why Christ came to deal with the issue of sin. And there will come a day when creation will be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth, uncorrupted by the fall. The problems with life in this world are real. So this is not a call to complacency, but a reminder that this world was never meant to satisfy us in the first place. It's a reminder to guard our hearts against having a critical, unloving spirit. And it's a call to pursue biblical contentment ‐‐ that characteristic that allowed Paul to say, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." So let me ask you, where is it that you find life lacking? Is it your finances? Is it your health? Schooling or your job? Your marriage? Your parents or your kids? The church? How do you respond when you find life lacking? Do you grumble? Do you wallow in self‐pity? Do you withdraw? Do you seek to take matters into your own hands? Do you try to control and manipulate people and situations in your search for contentment? Rather than saying our ability to be content is controlled by what we lack, Paul speaks of contentment that is independent of our needs. Certainly, what Paul lacked did not deprive him of his contentment. Not even when he lacked his freedom. You see, one of the things that makes this passage so amazing is that Paul wrote Philippians while he was in prison. Paul was under arrest awaiting trial in Rome when he wrote this passage about being content whatever circumstances he was in. Paul's claims here weren't hypothetical. He was well acquainted with humble means, with going hungry and suffering need. The hardships Paul faced were many. In fact, few of us have faced anything close to what he did. 5 In 2 Corinthians 11:23‐28 Paul gave an account of the hardships he had been through. In addition to multiple imprisonments, he says... "[I was] beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty‐nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches." Physical, mental, emotional duress. That is what Paul describes of his life. And yet, through it all, Paul was able to be content. Now, I know some of you have been through a lot in your life ‐‐ some of you are going through difficulties now. But can any of us not be humbled hearing that list of Paul's experiences, and then thinking of the self‐serving things we commonly grip and moan about? Can any of us not feel convicted by what Paul says here? I know I personally have a long way to go in practicing that kind of contentment in my life. A contentment that is unaffected by what I lack. In fact, while studying this passage and working on this sermon, I've also been dealing with some issues with ground water getting into the downstairs of our house and the cost in time and money that will be involved in fixing the problem. And let me tell you, it has been a humbling thing to be writing a sermon on contentment while struggling to find my own. But that is one of the marvelous things about preparing a sermon ‐‐ that the preacher is the first audience for what God's word is teaching and accomplishing! When Mark or I or any of the elders stand before you, we aren't speaking as experts who have arrived spiritually, and are bringing you words from our vast storehouse of personal wisdom, success or accomplishment. We are bringing you ‐‐ and ourselves ‐‐ the Word of God. And being on this side of the pulpit makes us no less needy for the instruction in wisdom, righteousness and yes ‐‐ contentment ‐‐ that scripture provides. But you know that about us. And I am just thankful to God for His continuing work in me, especially in this area of contentment. We are all tempted to find our satisfaction in avoiding difficulty. And that is why Paul tells us that true contentment is possible even when faced with humble means, going hungry and suffering need. But not only was Paul's contentment unaffected by what he lacked. It was also unaffected by what he had. In verse 12 Paul says his contentment was independent of his prosperity, being filled, and having abundance. 6 And that leads us to our second point this morning... 1. First, contentment is not a matter of what we lack. Now second... 2. Contentment is not a matter of what we have. Or, another way of saying it ‐‐ If lacking is not the problem with contentment, then having is not the solution. That's because having has never been a cure for wanting. The human heart is never satisfied with getting. The flesh always wants more, more, more. In his article entitled "Working Your Way Up," Paul Tripp writes: Maybe it's a better job, maybe it's a more succulent steak, maybe it's a nicer boss, [...] maybe it's a [fancier] car, maybe it's a more luxurious condo, maybe it's a better vacation than last year, or maybe it is as little as a better cup of coffee than yesterday's, but the spiritual energies of your life can be consumed by working your way up. What do I mean by working your way up? I mean that, in reality, you are living in a state of constant discontent. Yes, you are thankful for the joy of the moment, but you do not have your head down in prayerful thanks. No, your head is up and your eyes are scanning for the next bigger, better, more satisfying thing. When you are discontent, you are always in some way working your way up the ladder of personally satisfying delights. You're not really thankful for or committed to what you have because in your heart you think that there must be something better out there and so you are on the hunt.2 I think all of us can identify with that kind of discontent... where nothing we have is ever enough. And created things can't bring lasting contentment because they themselves don't last. They aren't secure. We worry we that won't have enough. We fear that what we do have will be lost. And so, there is no rest, no peace, no contentment in them. Not only don't the things themselves last, but neither does the satisfaction they bring. Like drinking salt‐water, the more we consume the greater our thirst becomes. Because the things of creation are neither infinite nor eternal, the satisfaction they bring is always limited and temporary. It is impossible to have lasting contentment in them. And still, people continue to seek their satisfaction where it cannot be found: in money, possessions, power, prestige, relationships and the avoidance of difficulty. Well, if it seemed shocking to our flesh that Paul could be content in whatever he lacked, maybe it seems obvious ‐‐ even silly ‐‐ to us that Paul would say that he learned to be content 2
Adapted from Paul Tripp's "Working Your Way Up," www.paultripp.com/articles/posts, 12/11/2012. 7 with prosperity, with being filled, with having abundance. "Well duh, Paul! Who wouldn't be content with such things?" But see, that response shows we have bought into the lie that contentment is the product of what we have. We've missed the very point Paul is making! And actually, what Paul says here keeps us from an equal and opposite error as well. You see, understanding that we are not going to find contentment in the things of creation should not lead us to the opposite error of thinking that contentment lies in denying ourselves of such things. Paul's statement about being content in having keeps us from straying into asceticism ‐‐ a philosophy held by Hindus, Buddhists and others that teaches a deeper state of satisfaction can be obtained by denying ourselves of pleasure in this life. Asceticism claims that temporal enjoyments are a distraction to true contentment, and that real satisfaction can only be found through rigorous self‐denial and extreme austerity. That only in emptying ourselves of any and all satisfaction in this world will we be free to experience true contentment. What Paul says in verse 12 refutes such lies, showing that having is neither wrong, nor is it a barrier to true contentment. Paul says he was able to be satisfied while having. What we have will not make us content, but neither will it prevent us from finding real satisfaction. In fact, since James 1:17 tells us all good things we have are a gift from our Heavenly Father, to deny oneself the enjoyment of His blessings is to be ungrateful towards God. Paul teaches that we can enjoy the Lord's blessings without hindering our contentment. And he teaches we can enjoy God's blessings without making our contentment dependent upon having such things. Because our contentment is not a matter of what we have. That's the point. Paul knew both what it was to have and what it was to lack, and regardless, he was able to be content. When you get right down to it, the issue with having is the same as with lacking ‐‐ we are looking to our circumstances in life to satisfy us. To what degree are you looking for a change in your circumstances to provide you with the satisfaction you yearn for? How much of your time, money, and energy are you spending trying to change the people and situations of your life because that is what you think will bring you happiness? It is our tendency to think, if only I can change my circumstances, then I would be content. We assume the change we need lies outside of us ‐‐ with the people and situations of our lives. And so our focus becomes how to use, manipulate, dominate, intimidate and control people and situations, in order to produce new circumstances that will make us happy. 8 The goal is always to conform what is outside of us to please ourselves, rather than transforming what is inside to please the Lord. It is a strategy that is both sinful and destructive and will always fail us miserably because the secret to contentment isn't found in changing our circumstances. Contentment is not a matter of what we lack, nor is it a matter of what we have. Contentment is a matter of worship. That is our third point this morning. 3. Contentment is a matter of worship. (v.13) The key to contentment is not having more or learning to live with less. The secret to contentment is found in the worship of Christ. Paul says twice in this passage that he knew how to be content. In verse 12 he says... "I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity..." So contentment is tied to what we know. Well then, how did Paul come by this knowledge? Was it some innate understanding he was born with? Was it imparted to him supernaturally? No. He says in verses 11 and again in verse 12 that contentment is something he "learned." In particular, the Greek word used in verse 11 (emathon), means to "learn by use and practice." It is learning that occurs over time through experience. Paul was taught the lessons of contentment by God in the classroom of life and ministry. In fact, every situation Paul encountered, good or bad, favorable or difficult, provided an opportunity to learn and practice contentment. So, what then was it that Paul came to know? What was this secret to contentment Paul learned? Verse 13... "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Now, this is a verse that has often been ripped from its context and misapplied. So we want to be sure we understand what Paul is and is not saying here. When Paul says he can do all things, he doesn't mean he can do anything. Now, Paul could do some pretty remarkable things when the Spirit enabled him to. The Bible tells us he could speak in tongues, cast out demons, heal the sick... he even raised Eutychus from the dead in Acts 20. So God enabled Paul to do lots of things you and I cannot do. None of that is what Paul has in mind here. In the context of the passage, it is clear that what Paul means is, he can navigate any and all circumstances, good or bad, pleasurable or painful, that come his way while maintaining contentment through the empowerment of Christ. 9 As I mentioned earlier, the biblical word for contentment carries the idea of being independent from one's circumstances ‐‐ of being self‐sufficient. But Paul's independence from external circumstances was the result of his complete dependence upon Jesus. He was not so much self‐sufficient as he was Christ‐sufficient. Paul could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. Jesus was the source of Paul's contentment. Listen, biblical contentment doesn't come from a pharmacy or from a self‐help book. It doesn't come from getting control over our circumstances, or avoiding difficulties. True contentment is only found in the person of Jesus Christ. The Gospel teaches us that our greatest problem doesn't lie outside of us, but inside. Our greatest problem is not our circumstances, but our sin. And thus, our greatest need is rescue ‐‐ salvation from the judgment and punishment our sin deserves. And Jesus provides that for all those who will trust in Him. The reason Paul could be content in Christ whatever his circumstances, the reason you and I can be content in Christ regardless of our situation, is because our greatest need for all eternity has been completely satisfied in Jesus' death and resurrection. When we, like Paul, embrace that truth, we become overwhelmed with thankfulness to God. We are freed from our insatiable appetite for sin. Freed from the addiction of living for ourselves. Freed to experience true personal satisfaction in the only place it can be found ‐‐ in the person of Jesus. For Paul, no deficiency he experienced in life was anything compared to the absolute sufficiency of Christ. Whatever he had, whatever he lacked, Jesus was his all‐in‐all. And because if Christ's sufficiency, Paul could be content. And so can we! Earth‐bound pursuits have limited and temporary benefits in serving only earthbound needs. But Jesus completely and for all time has fully met our greatest need ‐‐ the forgiveness of our sin. As Ephesians 1:7 states... In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Because Jesus is infinite deity, our enjoyment of Him has no bounds! Because He is eternal, our satisfaction in Him will never end. Contentment in Christ knows none of the limitations that cause our satisfaction in created things to come up short. And because of His sovereignty, it isn't just that we can be contentment despite our circumstances, we can be content through difficulties and trials, knowing that God is working all things ‐‐ even hard things, even painful things ‐‐ for our good (Romans 8:28). 10 Regarding the troubles we face in this world, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:17‐18... 17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. The things that trouble us in this world are not without their purpose. God is using temporary affliction to produce things of eternal value and exceeding glory in us! Understanding that, there is reason for joy and contentment in Christ, even in the face of difficult circumstances. But how? How can suffering adversity be a means for producing contentment? That sounds like a contradiction! Turn to 2 Corinthians 12:8‐10 with me. This is the familiar passage where Paul talks about the thorn in his flesh. Reading from 2 Corinthains 12:8‐10... 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul could be content through horrible, painful circumstances because of the exceeding value of what God was producing in him. Through his weakness, the power of Christ was dwelling in Paul. Paul asked God to change his circumstances. Instead, God changed Paul through his circumstances. He gave him grace to endure the trouble ‐‐ not begrudgingly, not with a "woe is me" attitude. He could face the difficulties saying, "I am well contented!" John MacArthur notes, Contentment comes to believers who rely on the sustaining grace of Christ infused into [them] when they have no strength of their own. In that sense, contentment is a by‐
product of distress.3 The world cannot understand how it is possible for a believer to remain calm and content in the face of adversity and suffering. But we are able to do just that trusting in God's providence and finding our satisfaction in Christ. Following Jesus does not mean a trouble‐free life. In fact, Jesus promised we would face trials and tribulations for our faith in Him. But to those who do follow Him, He also promises real life, 3
John MacArthur, New Testament Commentary: Philippians, pg. 303. 11 and that we will have it abundantly (John 10:10). And in John 15:11 Jesus promises his followers fullness of joy. Those are not empty promises. True contentment is found in the person of Christ. In fact, John Piper notes... "Sin is what we do when our hearts are not satisfied with God." 4 When we don't find God fulfilling, we will seek contentment apart from Him. That is the very nature of all sin. The problem with not being satisfied in Christ is not due to any deficiency in Him, but that we are failing to respond appropriately to the revelation of who He truly is and what He does in rescuing sinners from hell. Or think of it this way... If contentment is found in our worship of Jesus, then discontent is a matter of misplaced worship, looking to things other than Christ to satisfy us. In that regard, discontent is a symptom of idolatry. Coveting and lust for the things of the world are the great enemies of contentment. They result in a perpetual cycle of dissatisfaction, not only with our situation in life, but with the failure of God and others to provide us with what we are convinced we need for life to be good. It is a downward spiral of frustration, hurt, anger and despair. Contentment then is directly tied to growing our satisfaction in God, deepening our affection for Christ. And we do that as we plumb the depths of the gospel. Biblical contentment is not a barometer measuring the external atmospheric pressure bearing down on me from the people and situations of my life. Rather, contentment is a thermometer reflecting my core temperature – how hot or cold I am towards Christ. That is why the secret to true contentment is found in the worship of Jesus. That is why Paul could be content in whatever situation he was in. That is why he could say, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Knowing where true contentment is found, the question becomes, what will be your response to the challenges of your life? Will you grumble and complain? Will you cultivate bitterness and resentment? Will you mope and stew in the juices of self‐pity? Or, like Paul, will you gladly boast in your weakness, that Christ's power might dwell in you? Will you too be able to say, "Whatever I have, whatever I lack, I am well contented!" 4
John Piper, Future Grace, pg.9. 12 What will your response to having and lacking say about your faith? About your view of God? About how your appreciation for the Gospel? Only a genuine, growing relationship with Christ will bring the rest and contentment Paul is speaking of here in Philippians 4. That's not to say that being content in difficult circumstances is an easy thing. But for the believer, peace, joy and contentment are always accessible in Christ. So if you are finding NO rest for your soul, no contentment in the midst of your struggles, it may well be that your heart is latched onto the wrong thing. It may be that you are looking to Christ as the supplier of what you think will make you happy, rather than finding your contentment in Him. Paul teaches us that true contentment is not dependent upon what we have or what we lack. True contentment is found in the worship of Jesus Christ. That was the secret he had learned. My prayer is for each of us is to know that secret as well. 13