Not that I speak in respect of want: for 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: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. —Philippians 4:11-12
Paul, closing out his writings to the Philippian church, gives some incredible insight. He alludes to the fact seasons, states and conditions change. There are going to be ups, downs, ins, and outs. People are going to come into your life, and people are going to exit your life. Times of abounding and abasement will come and go. There will be seasons of plenty and seasons of want. With every new season comes different conditions, surroundings, and settings. Paul said, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” I know how to be full, hungry, abound, and suffer need.
How do we push through these times in life, the mountains, valleys, cracks, crevices, cliffs, and caves? Paul gives skills to survival in this same chapter, verse eight: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
It is a two-letter word, “IF.” It doesn’t seem like much when you are looking at it, but look at the definition. IF: in the event that, allowing that, on the, assumption that, on condition that.
What is Paul saying? When the conditions say praise and virtue are gone, how do you survive? Think on honest, just, pure, lovely, and good reports.
Our prayer for you this week: May you come to understand contentment is a learned behavior.
