Paul in Philippians 4:11tells us he has learned to be content whatever the circumstances and in verse 12 he says he has learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Have we learned contentment?
In the world we live in we tend to focus much on our feelings and our pleasure. Ads in magazines, commercials, billboards~ media every where we look tells us it’s about us, what we deserve, our happiness. What is not pointed out is that these are momentary pleasures at best. There is nothing in them to satisfy the longings or emptiness within. We are encouraged to be selfish and think only of our happiness. Selfishness never brings happiness or fulfillment.
Just as Paul said, “I have learned…” we also must learn. Paul had learned to move past his feelings. GOD is much more interested in our character rather than our feelings. Our goal should be to be like CHRIST but sadly many times it is comfort.
As we learn how to be content we are on the pathway to guarding our heart. It’s a daily choice. In 1 Corinthians 15:31 Paul tells us, “I die daily.” To be content we must daily make choices that lead us in that direction.
To walk in contentment we must forgive and quickly. We cannot have a pure heart without forgiving those who sin against us. (Matthew 6:14, Luke 6:37) Forgiveness is a choice~ we must choose it to keep the attitude of our heart right.
To be content we must also have a thankful heart. We are to be thankful in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Sometimes this is hard and we may not be able to find anything to be thankful for about. However, if we are willing the LORD will help us in being thankful because any time we want to please Him, He wants to help us! It is those places of sacrifice that touch His heart. Complaining is like saying (although we are much too religious to ever say it out right) but it is like saying~ GOD I really don’t like how You did this, or GOD if I had been in charge this is how I would have done that. It’s impossible to complain and be truly thankful at the same time. True thankfulness is very humble.
Psalm 50:14-15, 23, “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to GOD, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on Me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you and you will give Me glory.” v.23, “But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors Me.” Wow! Don’t that just make you want to be thankful?
The next thing I see in guarding our heart is to have a repentant heart. David was called a man after GOD’S own heart. Even though he sinned he also was quick to repent. The Psalms record the depth of his repentance. When we repent quickly~ this means we turn from our wrong path to GOD’S way~ we guard our hearts and walk in contentment.
Being forgiving, thankful and repentant help us to guard our hearts. The thing that ties all these things together is worship~ these are expressions of worship. They are the living out what we say when we sing or in other ways express our hearts in worship. These are just some of the tangible ways we magnify Him instead of our selfish wants. As we live out these precepts when we raise our voice in worship He knows it is in truth because we have lived out what we sing. Our worship takes on a new dimension because our hearts are content with Him~ we are secure and at rest and CHRIST alone is the reason!
May we all learn as Paul did the secret of being content~ having a heart at rest in all circumstances.
Coffee With the King 