“IN ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES I HAVE LEARNED
THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT — WHETHER WELL
FED OR HUNGRY, WHETHER IN ABUNDANCE OR NEED.”
Philippians 4:12 CSB (Verse on Bible Hub) ❤
TRANQUILITY AMIDST THE HOLIDAYS
Content is a state of peaceful happiness. Some synonyms for content are satisfied, unworried, untroubled and tranquil. (free from disturbance; calm)
As much as I want to be content in all circumstances, I have to admit I’m not. Worry and troubled feelings find their way into my mind and heart all too easy at times.
God chose to use Paul as an example for us in various ways. Paul’s sufferings and trials were numerous. He worked hard, was imprisoned more than many others, flogged more severely, exposed to death again and again, received thirty nine lashes five times, three times he was beaten with rods, three times he was shipwrecked, he was stoned, and more. 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
There were a few things that came to my mind while reading this scripture. I was beginning to compare myself with Paul and beat myself up a little because I don’t even come close to handling my difficult circumstances like him.
I don’t know all the details, but God wired the male and female differently from each other. With that said, we as women are going to respond to the shipwrecks of our lives differently than a man. And that’s alright. God knows.
THE SECRET OF BEING CONTENT
Also, Paul said he ‘learned’ the secret of being content. According to the dictionary, to learn means to gain or acquire knowledge of a skill in (something) by study, experience or being taught. Paul had lots of experiences but he doesn’t say how long it took him to learn to be content.
As we relinquish more and more to God, we are in the process of learning to be content.
I believe the secret to learning contentment is found in Philippians 4:13 which says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Everything in our lives always points back to our Lord and Savior. We can’t do anything without Him, including being content and experiencing tranquility.
This time of year, stress and worry can steal our contentment as we prepare for the holidays. I’m calling on God and praying, “I can be free from disturbance through Christ Who strengthens me.”
Whatever area of your life you have become content in, take that victory and rejoice in it as you learn to be content in other areas. Jesus is with you in this. Take hold of his hand. He will get you there.
Praying for His Peace to cover our hearts and minds as we prepare for Thanksgiving …
Love,
Tranquility Amidst the Holidays @ freshgracefortoday.com
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Thank God for His grace and not giving up on us when we are disgruntled with our situations instead of being grateful. May God give us the grateful and content hearts.
You are so right that the holidays can be stressful, and I can so easily focus on the wrong things. I love the short prayer you wrote. “I can be free from disturbance through Christ Who strengthens me.” So powerful!
Thank you for this wonderful and helpful article! Very insightful and inspiring.
One of my favorite verses! I sometimes have to repeat it to myself daily. Very encouraging post 🙂
Thank you, Heather! I have scripture I repeat to myself daily too.💗
I love your message and Philippians 4:13. I use it often as I struggle with doubt or fear. Thanks for the coloring page too. Great way to relax.
Thank you, Yvonne! Have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy the coloring page.💗
A beautiful reminder how being content in Jesus leads to a joy that no one can describe. ❤️
Thank you, Jessie!💗
I can relate to feeling guilty at not handling difficult circumstances well. I don’t even handle sleepless nights with my toddler well. How would I handle what Paul went through? Well, the same way he did…by leaning on Christ, which is what I need to remember on those sleepless nights! Thanks for a great post.
Contentment is HARD! But I love that you point out the process we’re all in of learning! What I haven’t yet gained the victory in today, I may gain victory in tomorrow, or a year from now. The goal is to focus in on Christ, who gives me the strength to have any victory at all. How encouraging!
God bless your heart! Sleepness nights are so difficult. I’ll be keeping you in my prayers.💗
Love the help you give us as we approach the holiday season. So true that even contentment cannot be obtained without Christ’s help.
Thank you, Jane! God bless you.💗
Oh man… this is great! In a world where we need all the things we can grow discontented. In a world where we buy all the things we seemingly need we can grow discontented due to now having no money or being in debt. When we look to things besides Christ to content us we end up on a hamster wheel.
So very true, Stacey! Thank you!💗
I have done the same thing, belittling myself by comparison to how I handle my disappointments opposed to how Paul handled his! But you’re so right when you point out this was a learned skill for him and will be for us, too. After all, he had some real sink or swim learning opportunities!
And I love that affirmation for protecting a sense of peace and calm at the holidays. I have big plans for setting healthy boundaries that protect my ability to celebrate well. I’ll be throwing that affirmation in the mix, for sure!
It’s too easy to compare ourselves to others and healthy boundaries are so important. Thank you, Rachel! 💗
It is hard to be content when things are hard. I am in a time of horrible suffering. I don’t understand why, but I am trusting God to move. We need a miracle.
Hi Julie, I took time to read the home page of your Blog and you are right …. life is hard. That is not a downer statement, it’s the truth.
And it ‘is’ hard to be content when life is full of so much pain, whatever that pain may be. My heart really does break for people because of their heartaches.
At this very moment, I said a prayer for you and your family. I also wrote your name on my prayer list and will continue praying, okay? God bless you!!💗💗
Praying for you Julie! ❤❤❤
This is something I definitely have been working on! I have to remember not to let my emotions overtake me and truly put things at His feet. That’s when I feel the spirit of contentment. This was such a beautiful reminder!
Emotions! They’re two sided; negative and a positive. I’m constantly putting my out-of-control ones at Jesus feet too, AnnMarie. God bless you. 💗
It is so easy to be stressed at this ‘most wonderful time of the year!’ Great reminder of Who gives us our peace.
Thank you! We are so blessed to have the answer, aren’t we?💗
Such a needed message! Seriously, my heart needs this message pretty much always. And yes, you’re right, it takes our Savior to give us the miracle of content in our hearts and minds. <3
Hi Sarah, I’m so glad this message touched your heart. God is so good, isn’t he? He sees what we need, always.💗
Susan, this is so true. I so fall short. I worry, I fuss, then I need a time out to regroup. Philippians 4:13 is my favorite verse. I say it alot. Love you
We all worry and fuss at some time, don’t we? However we choose to regroup, regrouping is much needed. You are a dear friend to me, Vickie. Love you too. 💗
I try to picture life panning out like a movie, where you back up and see the whole picture, and then things that seem stressful aren’t so stressful any more.
Thank you for this awesome visual, Susan! Even as I sat here reading, I did this and it really works.💗
Love this Susan! I am praying for His unmoveable Peace to cover me during this Holiday Season. It’s too easy to slip out from under His wing and take on more than He intended for me. You always encourage me. Thank you for this beautiful post. xoxo Donna
Thank you Donna! I love the holidays and I’m grateful for good friends, bible study, the Word and good Christian praise music to help get my focus back on Jesus. You are such a blessing in my life. 💗