“Not that I am not speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
Contentment is defined as a state of happiness and satisfaction. As The Father brought me to this passage the other morning, I found myself sitting in stillness overwhelmed by how applicable this is to our current circumstances.
It caused me to reflect on my own level of contentment as Paul writes. Amid the chaos and uncertainty around me, am I living from a place of contentment? With all of the distractions of this life stripped away, am I running toward My Loving Father with a sense of great contentment? I found myself asking, how do I even do that when everything around me tells me to be in a state of being on guard, worry, or even panic?
Being in His presence is the way to allow Christ’s strength to move through me. It gives me a space to be grounded in His love and peace and to operate from that place. These reminders flooded my Spirit… I am a daughter of God, He has walked me through past seasons of lack and abundance, He has been there when job changes came my way, when things were going on in my family that I couldn’t control. And I’ve been challenging myself to rest in His sovereignty above it all. To find the gratitude moments in every day. To look for those places where God is moving, where I sense His nearness, His presence and to pause and acknowledge them.
Because at the end of the day, as Scripture says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. This last verse has been ringing in my soul. I can do all things. Even this. I can and will get through this because Christ strengthens me to take on anything that comes my way. He will lead and guide my every step (John 16:13; Psalm 37:23). He will encourage my soul with His promises (Matthew 11:28-30). He loves me, is for me and is with me (Romans 8:31). And it’s in this that I find complete contentment.