It’s much too easy to be discontent. It may be with material possessions, employment, relationships, where we live, or a number of other things with which we are discontent. Perhaps we compare ourselves with others and always fall short, becoming envious or jealous in addition to being discontent. While desiring and working towards better circumstances is not necessarily sinful, persistent discontentment certainly can be. How do we break free from such a heart-hardening pattern? The Scriptures offer wise counsel as we consider the nature of contentment in the Christian life.
Contentment is Learned
In Philippians 4:11, Paul said that he learned to be content. He says nearly the same thing again in verse 12: “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, and abundance, and need” (emphasis mine). In order for Paul to learn contentment, he had to face varying circumstances—plenty and hunger, abundance and need (verse 12). The fact that he did experience abundance at times did not lead to being discontent when he was in need. He was content in whatever situation he found himself in because he learned that Christ would strengthen him regardless of the circumstances (verse 13).
Paul says this same thing in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 when writing about his thorn in the flesh: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul had to experience the difficulties of life to experience the strength of Christ.
Contentment Acknowledges Difficulties
Being content doesn’t deny that life is often difficult, but it acknowledges the difficulty and recognizes where the help comes from. In Philippians 4:14, Paul writes “it was kind of you to share my troubles.” And Paul had lots of troubles, to be sure. Consider that the passage about Paul’s thorn in 2 Corinthians 12 is preceded by his list of troubles in chapter 11:23-33: imprisonment, beatings, stoning, shipwreck, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, and a number of near-death experiences to name a few! And yet, he didn’t have to downplay his difficulties to experience contentment in Christ. Paul had to learn that his troubles were teaching him to rely not on himself but “on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9).
While Paul did not gloss over his difficulties, he also did not overlook God’s faithful, daily care in the midst of them. For instance, when Paul needed physical sustenance, it was provided by an unlikely source: the poor Philippian church. Experience had taught Paul that God would provide for his needs—even if he didn’t know how God would do it! His confidence in God’s provision (both for himself and others) is expressed in Philippians 4:19: “my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Contentment Expresses Gratitude
Contentment is not simply being stoic and enduring, but expressing joy and gratitude in Christ no matter the circumstance. Even though he’s in prison, Paul uses the word “joy” 16 times in his short letter to the church in Philippi. He rejoiced when he learned of the Philippians’ concern for him (4:10) and expressed his gratefulness for the gifts they sent (4:14). What’s more, even though people were sharing the gospel out of desire to make things worse for Paul, he actually rejoiced that the gospel was at least being proclaimed (1:17-18)! Paul had to practice looking for reasons to be grateful—doing so helped to refresh his joy in Jesus.
When we think about expressing gratitude to God in our difficulties, it can be helpful to remember, accept, and appreciate our unworthiness before him. Every good gift we have received is from God’s grace and mercy. As Jeremiah Burroughs writes, “For men and women to be discontented in the midst of mercies, in the enjoyment of an abundant of mercies, aggravates the sin of discontent and murmuring.”[1] Where does discontentment come from other than from the idea that we deserve better? What we really deserve, of course, is the Father’s righteous wrath. The good gifts that he generously gives are unmerited—especially the gift of his Son. In Christ, we have much to be grateful for in every circumstance.
Contentment Seeks Purpose
As we think about contentment, don’t think that we should never work hard to enjoy or advance our station in life. But ultimately, we all must yield to God’s sovereign plan for our days and his purposes in them. Paul says in Ephesians 1:11 that God “works all things according to the counsel of his will.” The Lord providentially controls all of our circumstances—both our abundance and need—in order to shape us and draw us closer to himself. As Sinclair Ferguson writes, “True contentment means embracing the Lord’s will in every aspect of His providence simply because it is His providence.”[2]
Even when difficulty persists by God’s sovereign design, we can be content to live into our God-given purpose. The writer of Ecclesiastes tell us that, “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecc. 9:10). We can seek to apply ourselves and fulfill whatever “good works God has prepared for [us]” (Eph. 2:10). While these works will vary depending on stage of life and our respective giftings, the good news is that we can love and glorify God right where we’re at. Wherever God has placed us, we can seek to love others and enjoy the good graces he gives. We can learn to acknowledge the difficulties in our lives while also rejoicing in Christ’s redemptive power. We can be content to rest in God’s sovereign plan and care as we wait to experience the immeasurable riches of his presence for all of eternity.
[1] Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, Banner of Truth Trust, (East Peoria, IL, 1964), p. 171.
[2] Sinclair Ferguson, In Christ Alone, Reformation Trust Publishing, (Orlando, FL, 2007), p. 187.
Hear more from Don Roy on the topic of wise counsel for the discontented at this year’s Summer Institute, June 19-21st in Burbank, CA. Tickets on sale now!
