Becoming Content

Paul lived courageously from his heart, from the core of his being, the center of all his thoughts, feelings, and passions.

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I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. – Phil 4:12-13

The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from a jail cell. He tells the citizens of Phillipi that he is content, that even in chains he has learned the secret of being okay in every situation. For many years I wondered how Paul could possibly be content. He was imprisoned and beaten for his faith; his life had been threatened. Was he crazy, or delusional perhaps? How could he possibly be happy? Paul’s claim seems ludicrous.

As the years have passed I have come to appreciate that being happy and being content is not the same thing. Happiness is an emotion, it can be fleeting in the same way excitement, anger, jealousy or joy can come for a time. Contentment is different. For me, contentment means to have a courageous attitude of the heart. I have come to see that this is the place Paul spoke from.

The word courage comes from the Latin word cor, which means heart. Paul lived courageously from his heart, from the core of his being, the center of all his thoughts, feelings, and passions. I believe Paul trusted in God and the purpose for with which he had been set apart, and that he lived this faith from his heart. He had a right heart attitude.

Over the last few years of my life, there have been challenges beyond belief and I have often been unhappy in the circumstances that have come and gone. Yet, when I have sat in silence and connected with my heart and the faith that abides there I have nearly always been able to feel content. If nothing else I aspire to have the right heart attitude.

Paul also trusted there was a season for everything under the sun. In the rhythms of life, in the comings and goings of everyday mundanity and emotional duress that life sometimes is, we have the opportunity to see and feel the rhythms and to know all things pass. Everything has only a season.

So I choose today to have a right heart attitude. I choose to be content, trusting that I am where I am meant to be. In saying that I give words to my deep-seated belief that though I may not be happy about any given circumstance, I can be content.

I can and do choose to trust God to strengthen me in every season and every circumstance so that I may experience contentment, believing I am loved beyond measure and trusting there is purpose beyond my circumstances. May you choose and experience the same.

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

 

Written by Josephine Anne

 

 

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Holy Beautiful Life

Featured Image by Cindy Lever from Pixabay

 

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About the Author

Jennifer Howard is a Kingdom Winds Collective Member and Founder of The Holy Beautiful Ministry for Women.