Lessons in Contentment - Part 1

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“…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” - Philippians 4:11    

Contentment. It’s a pearl of inestimable value. Yet it often feels like like a desert mirage - looming, but never within reach. I’m going to begin a series of blogs on the topic and today we begin with the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians.

“…I have learned…” The word choice indicates the difficulty involved in finding contentment. It doesn’t come naturally. I didn’t have to teach my kids how to sin. Sin comes naturally. Contentment does not. Contentment is learned. Sin requires little effort. Contentment requires much grace-driven effort. 

I’ve often heard the question: why is spiritual growth so hard? The answer is simple: spiritual growth is against nature. We are by nature sinful and objects of wrath (Eph. 2:3). The art of divine contentment, a spiritual thing, runs against this nature. 

The first lesson: contentment does not come naturally; we have to work at it.