The secret about contentment

Contentment doesn’t come from what happens to us. It comes from what we believe about what happens to us.

The apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12). Contentment isn’t situational but spiritual—a belief that is “learned.” That means it’s not natural; it doesn’t happen automatically as part of our operating system.

The good news is this: Because contentment is learned, we’re not stuck at the level of a stubborn, self-interested two-year-old. We can learn what it means to be content and look at each day and say: “It’s okay. I’m good. Jesus and I have the situation under control. I can do this. Jesus knows how. I trust him.”

That belief about contentment doesn’t start with a better video game, a better phone, a bigger paycheck, or a new boyfriend.

“I rejoiced greatly in the Lord” (Philippians 4:10). Why can you be content? Why can you be happy in any situation or circumstance? The Lord.

Our Lord Jesus knew the temptation of desiring something other than his Father, and he resisted discontentment all the way to the cross. His thoughts about you while dying on that cross were contented thoughts, not anxious, not disappointed, not angry. Content to pay the ultimate price for sin so you don’t have to pay it.

Be content in Jesus today and see how much that secret gives you more joy.