The Secret of Contentment

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I’ve learned the secret of being content-whether well fed or hungry, abundance or need. I’m able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me.- Philippians 4:11-13

What is your pet peeve? What is it that other people do which gets under your skin and makes you want to scream? Is it people taking in movies, men with facial hair, teeth grinding on a fork, saying "um" before beginning to speak, or someone who posts too much on Facebook or Twitter?

 One of my biggest pet peeves is when people pull verses out of context and attempt to market these verses to others. If you are not sure what I am talking about visit your local Christian bookstore, walk to the merchandise section and notice the entire out of context verses on various objects. For example, consider the verse, “as the deer pants for the water so my soul longs for you” who decided to put that verse on a coffee cup? How about Jeremiah 29:11 in a graduation card? Congratulation graduate you are about to have a horrible 40 years but don’t worry God has a plan for you. Perhaps, the most misapplied Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse is placed on every sports t-shirt in the store. It’s as if they are saying, “are you fat and overweight? Don’t worry you too can play baseball because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” There is even an entire Christian football movie dedicated to misapplying this verse. Is there a more misquoted verse in the Bible than Philippians 4:13? I don’t think there is. I think people want to apply that to everything. A Christian businessman might say, “I’m going to be a CEO. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Well, that’s kind of a swing and a miss. That’s really out of context.

Philippians 4:13 isn’t evidence that I can do whatever I want. This text isn’t saying that you can be a major league ball player or CEO through Christ. This is not what Paul’s saying at all. He’s saying that if you are in the big leagues, then praise His name, and if you’re too weak to even lift the jug to be the team’s water boy, praise His name. You can’t take Philippians 4:13 and make it mean you can do anything you want. That’s not what Paul is saying. In context, he is saying, “I’ve learned to be content when I received everything I want; I learned to be content when I got nothing I wanted. I can do either one by the power of Christ.” Philippians 4:13 is the testimony of all those who have Christ and found Him supremely valuable, joyous, and satisfying. In a life marked by extreme highs and lows Paul had found the great constant security, the great centering hope; Jesus Christ, Himself.

We must come to the place like Paul, where we can recognize that no matter what comes our way we will be content by the power of Christ. We are content when our family is healthy and when we receive news from the doctor of cancer. We are content when our family is with us on the holidays and when they are not. We are content when we are employed and when we are not. We are content when our house sells right away and when the deal falls through at the last minute. We are content when we are pregnant and when we are infertile. We must learn that we can do all things (good or bad) through Christ who strengthens us.

In conclusion, Philippians 4:13 is not about chasing dreams or playing sports but is the testimony of all those who have found Christ supremely valuable joyous and satisfying. We are able to be content in all circumstances because we have Christ and He is all we need and want. We know that Jesus + nothing = everything! We know that Christ is there, He walks with us, comforts us, encourages us, equips us, motivates us and will never leave us or forsake us; therefore, we are able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us.