Young People's Group

LEARNING TO BE CONTENT

by Pastor Mitch
September 22, 2013

Reflecting Over 24 Years Of Learning To Exercise Faith In Being Content

At our recent 40th Church anniversary, someone gave me some old Bethany bulletins. In one that was dated 25th June 1989, I was thrilled to find a letter I wrote to the teen’s page while I was on my first overseas helicopter detachment. I was twenty-two years old back then. Here are some excerpts.

“Over here in Brunei, the Lord is teaching me many lessons. The food at the army cookhouse is horrible and there is nowhere else to have our meals … But, I remembered the message about how the Israelites complained to Moses about being sick of eating manna and how much they wanted to eat ‘the fish, the cucumbers and the melons, and the leeks’. We all know what happened to them after they had complained. So instead of complaining, I’m just thankful that the food is not any worse; I’m thankful for the 3 free meals I have everyday … Just be thankful, teens, for what you have. Be satisfied and don’t complain. In whatever situation learn to thank God. Trust Him and be content.”

“Not that I speak in regard of need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”
Philippians 4:11

“Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry” 
Philippians 4:12

I smiled as I read this letter. This was my initial exercise of faith in learning not to complain but to be contented in life. It has been 24 years since I wrote these words. And as I reflected on my faith now, it is no longer just being content in the small things. I have begun to see contentment in a whole different light.

1. Contentment That Comes From The Context Of Living Life To The Fullest For The Lord

Paul’s contentment is not a matter of being satisfied with what he had done for the Lord. Paul was still seeking to live his life to the fullest for Him. His faith was focused on living for Christ (Philippians 1:21). He was still pressing on to fulfil what the Lord had called him to do (Philippians 4:11). It was in this context that he learnt to be content in doing His will, despite facing trials.

2. Contentment Is Something To Be Learned And Cultivated In Every Situation Of Life

The word “learned” is used twice in the text of Philippians 4:11-12. The first “learned” in the Greek means to be instructed like a disciple. Paul had learnt what it means to be contented through being taught by the Lord. The second “learned” in the Greek is a different word. It means to learn through experience. In everything that Paul experienced in life and ministry, he learnt how to be thankful.

3. Contentment Is About Having The Knowledge And Faith To Be Highly Adaptable

The apostle Paul also had to be very flexible and dynamic in all the situations he went through. He was not one who was given to complaining. He had gained knowledge concerning how to be abased and to abound, to be full and to suffer need. He knew how to go through extreme situations like being in prison and still be able to rejoice and to have a deep sense of sufficiency in the Lord.

4. Contentment Is Achieved Through Relying On The Lord’s Strength

Contentment is also a result of relying on the strength of the Lord. Paul had the ability to adapt and to do all things in life and ministry because the Lord was the One who was strengthening him (Philippians 4:13). When the Lord’s dynamic power is given to us, there is no situation that we cannot cope with. Young people, let’s learn to exercise faith as Paul did. Let’s learn to be adaptable in any situation, in stress-free or stressful times, relying on the Lord’s boundless strength.

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