Philippians 4:11…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
I have found that as I walk with Christ in my life, no matter where I am or what I am doing. I am content. I often tell people that I have been given the gift of contentedness. It took me a long time to realize that this was a true spiritual gift from the Lord. I remember going through life, looking around and wondering what my talents were because I didn’t feel that I excelled at anything. I typically felt rather ordinary. Eventually, I stopped looking around and started to looking, instead, to whom it really mattered–my Heavenly Father–and I found that I was suddenly content. Just like the online dictionary states: I was in a state of peaceful happiness. This happiness didn’t come as a result of a 5k that I had finished in record time, nor from financial success. No, this happiness was deep in my heart, and it expanded to my whole inner being. Over time, I discovered that this peaceful happiness wasn’t rattled by circumstances–even difficult ones. I could mentally be stressed over an incident, but there was still an inner peace and calm–a trust in something bigger than myself. I realized that the Lord had given me the gift of contentedness.
I will be honest with you, this is not something that I have always possessed. It is something that I desired from a very young age, and that I worked hard to obtain. I would watch Pollyanna over and over, and tried my best to be just like her. I wanted to go through life with a smile and a good attitude, so I worked on it. However, in the years right after high school, I found myself torn and twisted by every wind that blew. My foundation was a bit sandy, and I was easily thrown off course. Those that loved me encouraged me to turn to the Lord, but I felt just fine, and found their advice boring and unrelated to my life. This tossing to and fro can take a toll on a young girl, and it did on me. I sought for happiness and peace everywhere I could think of, but nothing seemed to calm the sea. Until I looked at my bookshelf one day and saw “The Miracle of Forgiveness”. It practically jumped off the shelf into my hands! I couldn’t put it down! It spoke to me clearly and distinctly. I knew I needed the Lord in my life, so I jumped in full throttle. That was 23 years ago, and I have never looked back. I found my Pollyanna outlook on life, and Christ filled me with peace and happiness that I have never been willing to give up. It is of the greatest value to me. I encourage you to hit your knees, open your scriptures, turn on your positive attitude, and find your own contentment, and let the Lord fill you with peaceful happiness.
Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
Let’s look at what Paul says about how to obtain this content nature. “Be filled with the fruits of righteousness”, is a great analogy of what we must do; we must fill our lives with all things good, so that our “tree” of who we are bears sweet and delicious fruit. Since all good comes from Christ, if we are seeking after all goodness, then we will be abounding in love that will bring us greater and greater knowledge and good judgment. This knowledge and good judgment will help us to not take offense or offend others, which will allow that contentedness to fill our souls. Be confident in your walk with Christ, don’t be afraid to share the joy that is within you. (Lessons learned from Philippians 1:6, 9-11)
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
He gives fantastic advice on how we can maintain that positive outlook. Besides not taking offense, he says “Do all things without murkiness and disputing.” Basically be kind and joyful. Don’t worry if you look around and the world appears to be full of hate and discouragement, we are meant to “shine as lights in the world.” We can shine the light of Christ in the darkness of the world as we “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2: 3, 14-15)
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” Yes, Satan is going to do everything he can to break you, he will send his most vicious “dogs” to bring you and your faith down. Our confidence lies with Christ not with flesh. If you keep your focus on Christ, Satan’s tactics won’t affect you. Remember “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:2-3, 14)
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I don’t even know what to do with Colossians! Paul just goes all out telling all the saints what they need to do to have complete commitment to Christ as well as complete contentment. It’s beautiful! I honestly encourage you to go and read all 4 chapters. Take a highlighter and mark what stands out to you, then record your feeling in a journal. It will be life changing. However, just in case you don’t do that, lets take a quick glance at some key points. He gives us a list of all the wonderful spiritual gifts that come as we commit to follow Christ; he says our lives will be filled with: understanding, knowledge, goodness, power, patience, long-suffering, joy-fullness, and much more.
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
This is all made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us, and because of our covenants made at baptism to always remember Him and to follow Him in all things. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8) “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-2) “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 12-15)
To wrap it up, remember that “Christ is all and in all.” (Colossians 3:11)
Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
-Sherri Jorgensen
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