Whatever Circumstances
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13 HCSB
"Contentment means being satisfied and at rest about where God has you, despite what’s happening around you. It’s not natural or automatic; it must be learned. God teaches us contentment through the ups and downs of changing circumstances. He wants us to learn to depend on Him and his divine enabling no matter what" (CSB Tony Evans Study Bible).
I believe the world tries to paint contentment in a negative light by aligning it with settling. Who really wants to settle? We want what we want now right? This is why so many Americans are in debt, and I believe the buy now pay later programs are making situations even worse. Why not be content with what we have, and save up for the purchases instead? And think about how easily we become discontented when things don't go our way. Just yesterday I was frustrated about losing internet connectivity for about 5 minutes.
However, the Apostle Paul learned to be content in whatever circumstance, and I believe God is getting me to this point as well. Yesterday I discussed a bit about my debt free journey, and learning to be content with what I had was a big factor in my success. Even more so God has been showing me my need to be content in relationships lately. I mostly need to focus on loving that person, and leave the rest to God. As A.W. Tozer said "God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves."