Daily Bread

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through the One who strengthens me.

I would love to learn the secret of contentment, and I know the answer is to allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen me, but why am I so bad at it? Or am I?

Contentment is being at peace with our circumstances, whether our own needs are being met fully or not.

The idea of contentment flies in the face of materialism. We are constantly blasted with targetted advertising, and shopping for ourselves — for things we want and don't need — is considered a leisure activity. The last thing our capitalist marketeers and retailers want is for us to be content!

Contentment also flies in the face of individualism, where our value is measured by our wealth, status, achievements, or accumulation of goods.

Yet contentment is a Godly attribute, and evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives — so much so, that Paul describes it as a strength.

Certainly, it takes inner strength to be content, but this strength is not to muster a supernatural willpower when it is required. Strength comes from exercising muscles regularly, and the inner strength that Paul is describing takes time to develop as we allow the Holy Spirit to develop our 'spiritual' muscles and lead us into maturity in Christ.

The bottom line is, don't worry if you've not discovered the secret of contentment yet, it will come if we stay rooted in our desire for God to work in and through us. In other words, if left to our own devices we will never discover contentment — we need God's help.

Holy God
Whether I have plenty
or am in need;
whether I am well fed
or going hungry;
whether I possess much
or have little;
may I learn the secret
of contentment
through the
strength of Christ
who lives in me.
Now and forever.