In the book of Philippians, Paul freely admitted that finding contentment in all circumstances of life (the good and the bad) was something he had to learn (Phil. 4:11-12). If Paul could learn to be content, so can we! Let’s look through Philippians and find some keys to contentment.
Contentment relies on prayer and God’s power to respond to every request (1:4, 9, 19; 4:6).
Contentment views everything in terms of the gospel and its furtherance (1:7, 12, 17, 27; 4:3).
Contentment allows God to work in our lives according to His will and pleasure (1:6; 2:13).
Contentment abounds continually in agape love for the Lord and for His people (1:9).
Contentment seeks satisfaction from being filled with the fruits of righteousness (1:11, 22; 4:17).
Contentment focuses on Christ and seeing everything through Him and for Him (1:13, 18-21, 29; 2:21; 3:7-9; 4:13).
Contentment refuses to allow troublesome circumstances of life to determine outlook (1:13-18; 3:7-8; 4:10-18).
Contentment purposes one’s life and existence not on fleshly pursuits but on spiritual ones (1:20-26).
Contentment requires true humility and looking beyond one’s own personal interests (2:3-11, 17-18).
Contentment works on seeing salvation through to the finish without distraction (2:12-13).
Contentment refrains from complaining (2:14).
Contentment trusts in the Lord (2:19, 24).
Contentment concentrates on working for the Lord regardless the cost (2:25-30; 1:21; 4:3).
Contentment finds true peace and joy only “in the Lord” (1:2; 3:1, 3; 4:1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10).
Contentment forgets things that are lost and presses on toward things that are ahead (3:7-13).
Contentment remembers true citizenship is in heaven and focuses on those treasures (3:14-21).
Contentment thanks the Lord for everything (4:6).
Contentment sets the mind on healthy thoughts (4:8).
Contentment knows that, through Christ who continually strengthens, one can do and endure all things (4:13).
Contentment depends on God to supply all need according to His riches and His will (4:19).
Contentment can be (and must be) learned! With the world’s help, we will fail! With Christ’s help, we cannot fail!