Category: rccg Edinburgh

Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Paul wrote these words while in prison waiting for his death sentence to be pronounced and executed. And yet in such dire circumstance he was the most joyful and content guy on the planet. Consider all that Paul went through in his life: he was whipped and beaten several times, stoned and left for dead; he suffered shipwrecks, threatened with death by both the Jews and Romans, and was suffering through an incurable disease. And yet was able to content through it all. Webster defines contentment as the ability to rest satisfied, to be positive and well pleased. It’s freedom from care or discomfort. Our English word comes from the Latin meaning to contain and be satisfied, happy, and filled. Contentment is being satisfied with what we have and that what we have is enough. But when it doesn’t seem to be enough that’s when discontentment sets in. If you’re single and feel lonely, there is nothing wrong with seeking a godly mate, as long as you’re not so consumed with the quest that you lack the sound judgment that comes from waiting patiently on the Lord. If you’re in an unpleasant job, there is nothing wrong with going back to school to train for a better job or from making a change to another job, as long as you do so in submission to the will of God. You must learn how to be comfortable in whatsoever state you’re in. When you do, you will experience a supernatural peace in the midst of the storm by being inwardly sufficient, knowing that He never leaves you or forsakes you. Beloved, I want you to know that contentment for us as Christians does not mean self-sufficiency because our sufficiency is in Christ, neither is it complacency in which we find most Christians these days. As Christians we are supposed to show the glory of God in all sphere of life thus we strive for excellence in all circumstances as we have opportunity. Our contentment is an inner sense of rest or peace that comes from being right with God and knowing that He is in control of all that happens to us. It is having our focus on the Kingdom of God and serving Him not on the love of money and things. Contentment also means not being battered around by difficult circumstances or people, and not being wrongly seduced by prosperity, because our life is centered on a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. So no matter what happens to us or what others do to us, we have the steady assurance that the Lord is for us and He will not forsake us. If you are a Christian, the greatest blessings in life are already yours, heaven is your home and God is your Father. He has promised never to leave you (Hebrews 13:5), and He will supply your every need (Philippians 4:19). So thank Him for all that He has given you and be content. When you have such an attitude, you will learn to appreciate how green the grass is on your side of the fence. It’s a lesson we all need to learn beloved. Shalom, Yemisi Onanuga.