COTENTMENT

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When you're a teenager, you think you know it all. When you're a young adult, you're convinced you know it all. But true adulthood begins when you realize that you don’t even know half of what there is to know. Reflecting on adulthood and maturity, three words from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:11 stand out: “I have learned…”

By the time you're in your 40s, there's an expectation that you've moved from trying to figure things out to actually having learned a few things. But the only way you can say you've figured out some things is if you’ve truly learned along the way. Experience may be a good teacher, but are you a good student? Just because you’ve experienced a lot doesn’t mean you’ve learned a lot.

What separates being "grown-ish" from being grown is the phrase, “I have learned.” Spiritually mature Christians are able to say, “I have learned.” One of the most important lessons to learn is contentment. A lack of contentment creates restlessness in the heart, which can lead to depression, overindulgence, unwise decisions, and moral compromise. Paul, writing from prison, says in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am...” He had experienced both poverty and prosperity. He had been rich and broke. Learning contentment means being satisfied with life, even when your circumstances fall short of your wants and wishes.

"I have learned…" implies that contentment is not innate; it doesn't come naturally. You have to grow into it. Those growing in contentment might say, "There was a time when I thought fortune was more important than faith. A time when I would rob God to reward myself. A time when my attitude was bad if my money was low. But I have learned!"

I’ve learned not to let external circumstances rob me of internal joy and peace. I’ve learned not to worry about wealth. I’ve learned not to stress over success or bow down to the altars of attainment and achievement. I’ve learned not to make money my master. I’ve learned to live above my circumstances by living dependent on Christ. My deficiencies are covered by His sufficiency. I’ve learned the secret to contentment: the secret is Christ. In any circumstance, it’s God’s strength that enables me to be content. I’ve learned not to be miserable in misfortune or proud in prosperity.

How do you reach the point where you can say, “I have learned to be content”?

How do you develop contentment?

There are lessons you need to learn before you can truly grasp contentment—like prerequisite courses for life’s certification in contentment.

1. Learn of Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30)
When you learn about and from Jesus, you learn humility. You move from entitlement to a sense of indebtedness. You also learn trust. Finding rest and reassurance in your soul comes from a relationship with the Redeemer.

2. Learn that suffering is inevitable (Hebrews 5:7-8)
Jesus' experience with human suffering gave Him a unique perspective, identifying with our weaknesses. Often, we lack contentment because we think we shouldn’t be going through what we’re going through. Righteousness doesn’t exempt us from suffering; it empowers us to endure suffering. Suffering teaches submission to God’s sovereignty.

3. Learn Obedience
Obedience shouldn’t depend on blessings. It’s easy to obey when our will aligns with God’s, but true obedience comes when God’s will differs from our desires. The path God chooses for us isn’t always the one we’d choose, but suffering is working an eternal weight of glory far beyond comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17).

4. Learn That You Can’t Change People, But God Can
Most of the time, things aren’t as bad as we imagine. Our worst-case scenarios rarely happen. Trusting God allows us to rest in the truth that He’s in control.

5. Learn What Truly Matters
When we focus on God’s assignments, we move out of self-centeredness (Isaiah 1:17). Looking for opportunities to bless others helps us realize how blessed we are (Titus 3:14). The things that matter most to us should align with what matters to God.

6. Learn That God Can Redeem Any Situation And Revive Any Relationship
You may be in it, but you're not in it alone! God can turn despair into hope and darkness into light. He can breathe life back into your marriage and family relationships. Lord, help us grow in contentment!