The State of Contentment
Philippians 3:11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.
22. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of anyone’s life among you, but only the ship.
23. For there stood by me this night, the Angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24. Saying, “Fear not Paul, you must be brought before Caesar, and lo, God has given you all them that sail with you.”
25. Wherefore sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Acts 27:22-25
The Need for Contentment
If you had to pick the most popular area in the United States, what would that state be? According to a 2024 survey by U.S. News & World Report, Utah was dubbed the most popular state, with New Hampshire coming in second. The survey was based on the economy, healthcare, education, infra-structure like roads and bridges, internet access, public safety, and natural environment. People are interested in localities where they can “enjoy life and family.” They want to live in a place where living is not only possible but also thriving. If finding a physical place is important, what about finding a spiritual state that supports life and wholeness? While Heaven is certainly the goal for believers, that spiritual place can only be reached when we leave this world. Until we reach Heaven, where can we find such a region that offers real peace for the mind and soul? That state is called contentment.
Paul wrote to the Church at Philippi, that he had discovered that wonderful state only after encountering experiences that taught him to trust God. I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. Every believer must go through that same learning process if they are to discover the riches of God’s peace and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Let’s explore some key aspects of finding that state of contentment by following Paul’s account of how God was with him during a crisis. In doing so, we will take a look at why contentment is the preferred attitude for the child of God. We should also note some of the benefits of possessing that frame of mind. More importantly, we will try to mark Paul’s steps to find out how we can reach the state of contentment from anywhere and at any time. So, lets get ready to travel the spiritual road from misery and confusion and even sadness, to a place where there is the ultimate Peace of God.
The journey starts with acknowledging the conditions or environment that is presenting a challenge to one’s faith. For Paul, that condition was a mighty storm that had swept over the Mediterranean Sea. The storm was so powerful that the mariners referred to it as “Euroclydon” or typhoon. We refer to them as hurricanes and they can wreak havoc on ships. There they were tossed by the gale force winds and pounding waves. To make matters worse, the storm lasted for over fourteen days and the sailors as well as the passengers gave up all hope of being saved. Acts 27:20. This was a new encounter for Paul, and while he knew that God had a plan, he had no idea of how or when God would rescue him from this situation.
So often, we assume that faith will create positive conditions in the midst of bad ones. While that certainly can happen, that is not always the outcome. All too often, God allows the adverse conditions to continue in order for His children to learn. In order to learn from God, we must admit to ourselves that God Almighty is the instructor and we are there to find something that we need and that is more than simply getting out of the class. While we tend to look for the exit from the storm, from the crisis, and from the pain, God gently uses those same troubling conditions to build trust, character, and even perseverance. Contentment becomes the hard stop at the intersection of fear and faith and we must resolve to trust God no matter what happens. Contentment is not a process of filling your mind with determination, nor is it about mustering up the energy to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Contentment simply acknowledges that this is a situation that may take awhile so I’ll settle down and face it with God’s help.
The second acknowledgement has to do with recognizing God in the crisis. In many cultures, we love to think in terms of rescue and delivery. Our cry is for God to get us “out of the problem.” Paul learned that God’s response is “I have come to get you through the problem.” God can do either. In the case of rescue, the test is simply a short quiz. Did God get you out of the problem? YES! Thank God. In the case of getting us through the crisis, it becomes not a quiz but a learning experience. In this process of learning, the believer gains insight and valuable knowledge of watching God work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are the called according to His Purpose.
Contentment calls for a Change of Directions
As with traveling to any state, directions are required if a believer is to reach the state of contentment. That means that something must change in the believer’s life for them to have a successful trip from where they are mentally and spiritually to that state of soundness and satisfaction in Christ. This change may also be expressed in the form of taking an exit. As we are aware, there are toll roads and there are freeways.
Toll roads mean just that. You have to pay the fare if you want to travel on that road. Spiritual toll roads are generally the passages of tradition or of hard work that tell us what others have done to solve their problems. As we refer to Paul and the other 285 souls on board their ship, the toll road was human effort. They hoisted the sails, then they lowered the sails. They dropped the anchors then they drew them back up into the ship again. They threw the cargo overboard. All these were attempts to “pay the toll” of surviving in the storm. It simply didn’t work.
Then there are the “freeways of life” and as you can imagine, those are simply the times when we just drift and hope something good happens. Freeways are the spiritual roads where we like to get to the destination without paying the fare. On the freeway many don’t want to pay the fare of prayer and praise. Many don’t want to pay the fare of getting into God’s Word because they don’t think it applies to what they are facing. During that storm on the Mediterranean Sea, the mariners simply let loose the rudders and simply allowed the ship to drift. That is dangerous! Yet many believers find themselves in a place where they want to just drift. That is not God’s way. Neither is God’s way the toll road of human effort. God’s way is that we change direction in our worship and in our response to His Word. It became clear to Paul that the ship needed to change direction. They had no control over the external storm, that was in God’s Hands. But the internal storm was also in God’s Hands and they all needed a change of direction in their hearts and souls. Then Paul heard from the Lord. For there stood by me this night, the Angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve … Saying, “Fear not Paul, you must be brought before Caesar, and lo, God has given you all them that sail with you.” That message was not addressing the storm on the outside but rather it was addressing the internal storm. They all needed a change of directions in order to arrive at God’s Peace.
So, here is our first turn. We must all stop going to the Lord with our fears and failures, but rather we must go to Him in faith. It is quite alright to express our fears and pains but do it in such a way that we express our faith and trust in God. Praying from a position of contentment means praying with the knowledge that God will cause our spirits to rejoice in Him. In the Psalms, David and the other writers first acknowledged what God meant to them. The Lord is my Shepherd. The Lord is my Light. Jehovah is my Deliverer and Fortress, my Strong Tower, and my Rock in a weary land. When speaking to God, we must first speak of our relationship with Him. Paul acknowledged that the Angel of God, Whom I belong to and Whom I serve had spoken. So that change of direction caused them to look to God instead of looking at the storm.
The second shift in directions had to do with hearing God’s Word. Some may argue that they hear God’s Word, but I would ask if we are hearing in order to apply God’s Word to our life situations. If the storm is still raging in your heart, that is a clear indication that you have not reached that state of contentment. If, however, you say in your heart that you believe God, then God will send deep satisfaction into your soul. The Apostle Paul made it clear that he was not going to allow the voice of the storm to drown out what he had heard from the Lord. Wherefore sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God. When we shift our focus from the noise of the world to our fellowship with God, we too can say, “I believe God.”
While we have focused mostly on encountering hardships and trials, much caution should be given to possessing contentment in our success as well. Those who consider themselves to be veterans in the faith, have experienced some hardships and are well accustomed to calling on God in the storms. But what about those times when every thing goes the way we planned? What happens then? History has proven that in times of prosperity, many fall away from their faith. Dependence on God decreases. Self-sufficiency increases. People pray less when they are at ease. The sad reality is that leisure sets in and so does spiritual lack. While those who are more devout, continue to praise God, that praise becomes more of a ritual than the real heart-felt gratitude. How does that happen? The focus has shifted and we need to get back to contentment. When Paul said, I have learned how to be content, he was referring to the times of success as well as the times of challenge. I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.
This brings us to the third turn in directions. We must turn from the role of recipient of God’s blessing to advocate for God’s Grace. It is interesting how that no one asked Paul to speak. No one had asked for his opinions or directions. As a matter of fact, when Paul gave his advice that they should not set sail from the Port of Fair Havens, the captain of the ship ignored him. What gave him the authority and the audience to now speak for God? God had spoken to him and what he now possessed was needed to calm the hearts of those travelling with Him. What did Paul hear? The Angel of God told him, “Fear not Paul, you must be brought before Caesar, and lo, God has given you all them that sail with you.” In other words, you will reach your destination: Rome. With that Word, Paul could boldly proclaim to the others, Wherefore sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
Our task is the same today. We must simply tell others the Good News that we are not just surrounded by a storm, but by the Power of God. When we reached the state of contentment, we are then able to share three things with others. First, be satisfied with God’s Presence. You may not have silver or gold, but you can possess something greater than all. You can possess God and with Him comes contentment. Second, contentment means that we are certain of God’s Promise. If God said it – it is settled. Third, be patient and wait for God’s Power. Wait on the Lord and be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. If these things dwell in you and abide, that is when you will realize that you have arrived at the best state of all. Welcome to the state of contentment.