Philippians 4:11-13 – Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Do you want to be a rejoicing, happy person? Then you must listen to exactly what the Apostle Paul is declaring here: Contentment is learned. Because you are to learn to be content in everything, God may not be using restlessness or discontentment as a primary means of guiding you. Wherever you are now, you should learn to be content until God makes it very clear to you that He wants to move you or change your situation. “The Lord is with me,” says Paul, “And I can do everything through Him, including being content in the situation I’m in.” Either you believe that or you do not. Either you will take advantage of it or you won’t. The choice, my friend, is yours.

Challenge:

Everything you know in your life, from childbirth until now, you learned. No matter if what you learned was good for you or bad for you. Somehow and in someway you learned the behaviors that you practice. The good news is that bad habits can be unlearned and good habits can be embraced. The first step is knowing the difference between the two. Your challenge this week is to take that first step and evaluate the things in your life that are a positive influence to you and the things that are not. Perhaps your job is especially difficult lately, is that a sign from God to move on or to step up to the challenge? Consider your friendships and the people you spend the most time with, are they truly building you up and strengthening you as a Christian or are they weighing you down and holding you back from being all you should be? Maybe it is time you made some needed changes you have ben putting off. Paul found contentment in the places God had him no matter how hard or how easy they were. You can too. Practice being content this week. God bless you.