Are you happy? As humans, and as Americans in particular, we dedicate our lives by default to the pursuit of happiness, yet many still find it elusive. As soon as we get what we think we wanted (if we get it at all), we soon discover it doesn’t quite satisfy us after all.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul claims to have found the secret to contentment. Doesn’t that make your ears perk up? What did he know that we don’t?
“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 all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:12-13
You may have heard that second verse before, but did you know it was preceded by the first? It seems there could be a colon between the two, because Paul is clearly telling us that the secret to contentment, no matter the circumstances, is to have the assurance that Christ can see you through it and to receive strength from Him. In other words, to adopt this perspective: “It doesn’t matter what comes, I will be ok because of Jesus.”
It seems a bit of an odd answer to the question of contentment at first, but it starts to make sense when you consider the alternative, one that we so often are tempted to believe: “If I don’t have _______, I won’t be ok.”
Are there things you feel you couldn’t survive without? A secure home? Your children? Your spouse? Someone’s approval? Is it really possible to be content if the test comes back positive? If health or financial crises wipe out the dreams you had for retirement? If a tornado wipes out the only home you’ve ever known? If your wife walks out? If your husband gets brain cancer? If your son gets incarcerated? If your daughter dies?
It’s possible. How do I know? Because I know people of faith who have lived each of those scenarios above, and they are ok. They are still singing His praise, and they actually have joy, even in the midst of pain, because He has given them the strength they’ve needed to get through it. He’s given them hope. Peace. Even joy.
The prophet Habakkuk said it was possible, too, back in 600 BC:
“Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19
How could he have joy when he didn’t have what it seemed like he needed? His answer is the same as Paul’s: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength.” If hurting people spanning centuries have been able to declare they have joy in Christ because he gives them the strength they need to face anything, then this kind of contentment is possible for you, too. God really is enough! Do you believe it?
What is your fill-in-the-blank that you wonder if you would be ok without? Might you lay it at His feet today? It can be scary to cut the invisible strings that tie us to the things of this world. We don’t want to feel untethered, we want to be secure. But, deep down, we know those things aren’t really secure. Loosening our attachments to them just might usher us into a greater freedom than we’ve ever known. And friend, God will never leave you untethered. He is the only tether that will hold, and he won’t let you go.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
Jennifer, This is sooo good! I’ve always tried to live my life through faith, knowing My God is with me, knows me, sees me, hears me and understands me… no matter what. My faith in Him has seen me through many difficult struggles and funny thing is, the more struggles I go through, the more my faith grows stronger. Love Isaiah 41:10! Thank you for this encouraging post!
This is so encouraging and a much needed reminder to be thankful for what we have and that our contentment in Him does not, or should not come from our circumstances, our emotions or any outside influence. Great post Jennifer. Thanks
Love the verses from Habakkuk: “Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there are no grapes on the vine…yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” During our 20+ years in Africa, we saw many examples of those who had next to nothing still being able to rejoice in the Lord. What a great reminder your post is of the need for each of us to learn to base our contentment and joy on the Lord and not on people, possessions, or circumstances.
I have always had a hard time believing I would still have strength if my children died. It’s like a fear of mine. But seeing my close friend go through the very scenario I’m terrified of and seeing her claim she is ok because of Christ was life changing for me. Her faith was inspirational to me just like Paul’s.
My friend told me about holding her daughter as she left this world. “I knew she was with The Lord in heaven as I held her. She was in heaven and although I was sad, I was ok.” Her faith was so solid, so unshakable that she still claimed it in the middle of the storm. I still pray today that I can have full faith in the Lord even if I am tested with this fear.
“Please lord let me remember the faith my friend had in her storm, the faith Paul had in his letter to the Philippians. I lay my fears at your feet. I know you and only you will be my guide if and when I am in the storm.”
Thank you Jennifer for reminding me of this today. His promises are are still here and He never fails. Bless you friend.
I have always had a hard time believing I would still have strength if my children died. It’s like a fear of mine. But seeing my close friend go through the very scenario I’m terrified of and seeing her claim she is ok because of Christ was life changing for me. Her faith was inspirational to me just like Paul’s.
My friend told me about holding her daughter as she left this world. “I knew she was with The Lord in heaven as I held her. She was in heaven and although I was sad, I was ok.” Her faith was so solid, so unshakable that she still claimed it in the middle of the storm. I still pray today that I can have full faith in the Lord even if I am tested with this fear.
“Please lord let me remember the faith my friend had in her storm, the faith Paul had in his letter to the Philippians. I lay my fears at your feet. I know you and only you will be my guide if and when I am in the storm.”
Thank you Jennifer for reminding me of this today. His promises are are still here and He never fails. Bless you friend.
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