I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Summary: Paul’s claim to be content in every situation is worth thinking about. How does that work? As we explore Paul’s claim, we find it leads us to Jesus.
Would you like to be content in any and every situation?
When I think of “every situation,” my mind wanders to all kinds of scenarios. I have memories of being attacked by a dog, falling down a cliff, and being called before a judge as a witness in a criminal proceeding. I’ve been sick, lost loved ones, had my heart broken, and seen my children suffer things beyond my control. I’ve taken care of my wife when she was ill and watched as she worried over me when I was sick.
What if I’d been “content” in all those situations? How would that have changed things?
One change would be a lack of fear. It is hard to be afraid or angry when you’re content.
I think about Paul sitting in chains, unfairly imprisoned by the Romans, unable to do what he wants to be doing. The food is probably gross, and the service is less than one star. There is no air-conditioning or laundry service. The furniture is likely made of rough wood or stone. Not the kind of thing that is conducive to relaxing.
And yet Paul is content.
Why?
The answer is in the next verse. He says:
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
Jesus, his Lord and Savior, is the one who gives him strength, comfort, assurance, and encouragement. It is Jesus who keeps Paul going, despite pain, suffering, discomfort, loss of freedom, poor food, cold weather, and loneliness.
Is Paul able to keep going because of his faith in Jesus, or does he keep going because Jesus is faithful?
People can put their faith in anything, and many do. The thing is that there is only one Jesus. There is only one God who was born as a man. This Jesus, this God born as a man, then allowed himself to be sacrificed for sin.
Not his sin, but everyone’s sin.
The only condition is that we have to want to be forgiven. Like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), we have to turn from serving ourselves and turn to Jesus (John 3:14-15). When we do that, God sends us a part of himself, his Holy Spirit (John 14:12, 15:12).
This is where the “secret” is.
In the depths of Paul’s soul, deep within his spirit, resides God’s Holy Spirit. When we have God that close, nothing else matters.
Application: Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Food for Thought: When the physical body is hurting, what good is having God’s Holy Spirit in us?
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 a section of Scripture that is often titled “Treasure in Jars of Clay” which I think describes the comfort and counseling the Holy Spirit gives to us when we are physically hurting.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Our physical pain reminds us of our body’s mortality. For believers the thought of our bodily mortality is overshadowed by our assurance of eternal life with God through Christ. It is also a reminder that although the flesh fails us, we are strong in Christ.
13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Although it may sound illogical, suffering physical pain is an opportunity to give praise to God. We are reminded that we will be resurrected in Christ, and that physical pain now enables us to grow in grace in Him. For someone that can praise God when they are in pain, they are allowing the light of Christ to shine through them a little stronger.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Physical pain reminds us that our present life is a transition to eternity, and what we see and feel now is temporary. Our inner self is being renewed day by day, and this is what will continue into eternity.
Thank you, Chris!
Very well said! You have opened my eyes to a very important passage. 🙂
A dear sister in Christ went to be with Jesus yesterday. When they took her off the ventilator that she knew would lead to death, some of her last words were that she was going to be with Jesus and see her parents again. There was no apparent fear, only peace. Her physical body want only hurting, it was dying. And the presence of the Holy Spirit meant everything.
*wasn’t only hurting
Thank you, Rich!
That is a powerful example — perhaps the most important example as each of us will face the same thing at some point.
Thank you!
Great topic and comments!
When the physical body is hurting, what good is having God’s Holy Spirit in us?
Our physical bodies are of this world, and like all things of this world they are in the process of decay. They are a temporary housing for our eternal spirits, and over time, will become weak with illness and aging. They will begin running out of energy, losing their strength, and eventually cease functioning, as it is intended to by our creator God.
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live according to Gods Word, under all circumstances which include physical death.
John 11:25-26, Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’
Gods Holy Spirit is the power, strength given to all believers when we receive Jesus Christ as our eternal Lord. He is our power to live in obedience to God, to endure hardships, to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding. He is our power to understand, and live according to Gods Word.
Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Ephesians 4:30, And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
2 Corinthians 5:8, We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Thank you, Ron!
Beautifully said! Excellent reference verses, too! 🙂
When the physical body is hurting, what good is having God’s Holy Spirit in us?
Im reminded of king Baldwin and the 500 knights vs 26,000 of Saladin.