Philippians 4:4-13 NIV
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Was the Apostle Paul happy when he was writing his letter to the Philippians from a prison cell with a painful thorn in his side? We don’t know. What we do know is that Paul went deeper. He had the joy of the Lord and was content despite his difficult circumstances. Paul understood that joy and contentment came from within through communion with God, unlike happiness, which is fleeting because it depends on circumstances that are beyond our control. Joy is the assurance we have in Christ and its resulting effects. And contentment is knowing that this assurance is where everything we value and steward originates from.
We will never find contentment from an external source, only from God.
No matter our circumstances, we can learn how to be content. As we grow our confidence in God’s goodness, we grow a contentment on the inside that produces joy and peace regardless of outside events. Learning to be content comes from learning the word of God.
It is not enough to just know about contentment as a principle. As we learn how to practice it, we are to put these lessons to work within our lives, especially during dark seasons. By consistently incorporating gratitude, prayer, and peace in our walk, our contentment in Christ Jesus will remain strong.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:6-7
Our experiences in life can shape our belief systems, however when you place your belief in Jesus, he can shape your life. Trust the Lord to direct your path into a life of limitless joy and peace. Only when you surrender to Jesus can you experience the full power of God.
Start a gratitude journal or add a gratitude section in your notes. Write down 3-5 things that you are grateful for at the start or end of your day. Starting or ending your day with gratitude provides hope for what’s next to come!
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