I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13 (NIV)
Our society - even believers in sweet Jesus - in general have become a group of two-year-old whiney brats. We want what we want when we want it. And we profusely complain when we have what we don’t want or want what we don’t have, Amen? Ask me how I know. Yet, God tells us we are to do “everything without complaining or arguing” in Philippians 2:14. We’re a far cry from that to be sure.
Contentment is learned and it is learned through the school of the hard knocks of not getting what we want. Often, we need to get our “wanters” fixed, Amen? Contentment is coming to a sure realization that what we do have is God’s best for our lives – whether extremely difficult or not. His “No’s” to us are always for a greater “Yes” – and we will never outgive Him as He will be no man’s debtor. He is working through all He allows in the lives of His heirs of mercy – and it is good and pleasing and perfect. There is always purpose in the pain. Trust Him on this. We can count on Him. So, if it is working for our good, the question now arises of why do we so often kick against His best for our lives and profusely complain? Instead of looking up and embracing, we oftentimes have our own agendas regarding what the perfect life looks like. And it can be totally different from what God’s plan is. When our lives do not flesh out in the way we cooked up (in the delusions of our own minds), we often become disgruntled, confused, angry and of course, great complainers. God desires for us to rest secure in what He allows knowing that He has our backs and our best interest at heart. We can trust Him. His desire is for His people to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”, as the Apostle writes in Romans 12:12. This enables us to “shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the Word of life” (Philippians 2:15).
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)