Oftentimes in our lives we always want more. We’re always looking to try to get more money, more popularity, more friends, more, more, more. We’re even taught from a young age that we should try to accomplish everything we’ve ever wanted by just striving to do and be more. However, a lot of times this leads us into a place where we’re never happy with where we’re at, we’re never content. Even Paul talks about being content and what that can look like, and what we can do to get there.

In Philippians 4, Paul says the famous saying that we all love to quote, “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 CSB) But, have you ever taken the time to read the verses leading up to this verse? Remember, it’s always best to read verses in the context in which they were written. In this section of Philippians, Paul is talking about how he learned to be content with a little and learned to be content with a lot. (You should definitely go read Philippians 4:10-13 and drop your thoughts on how it applies to your life.) Then that’s when Paul talks about how he can do all things through Christ.

It’s pretty crazy that one of the most well known verses of all time is Paul talking about being content! The question then is, where did Paul get this confidence? What information was he relying on that gave him such bold confidence? To get our answer, we’re gonna go to the words of Jesus Himself in the book of Matthew.

During The Sermon on The Mount, Jesus starts talking about the cure to anxiety. During this we hear another pretty famous saying from The Bible. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says this, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Again, if we read this in the context of the rest of the chapter, Jesus is talking about not worrying about what we’re gonna eat, drink, or even wear. That means that when we stop focusing on all of the things we either do or don’t have and focus on Jesus and the Kingdom of God, everything else will fall into place!

That’s how Paul was so content no matter how much or how little he had! He knew that the true way to happiness and being content was to focus on God first and himself second!

Question:

Read Matthew 6:31-34 and then compare it to what Paul says in Philippians 4:10-13. What do you notice about what Jesus and Paul say in these sections?

Weekly Challenge:

Take time to sit and pray about what areas of your life you’re not content in. Write them down. Then ask God to show you some ways to give those things to Him and to help you be more content and trust Him more. Write down what you think He is telling you.