Have you ever heard a testimony from someone who has been
through a horrible tragedy and seen firsthand the faithfulness of God in that
situation? We pay close attention to these accounts because they inspire us to
trust the Lord. And of all the witnesses to God’s grace in times of trouble,
none is more compelling than the apostle Paul.
Paul was no stranger to hardship. Throughout his ministry,
he was dragged, beaten, stoned, arrested, shipwrecked, and accused of heresy by
both the Jewish leaders and the Roman government (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). This
was certainly a contrast to his early life, when he enjoyed opportunities that
his Roman citizenship and Jewish education provided.
In the midst of these amazing ups and downs in his life,
Paul discovered a valuable lesson. In Philippians 4:11, he writes, “I have
learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” His attitude didn’t
change with his circumstances—it remained constant whether he had plenty or was
in need (Phil. 4:12).
Paul referred to this contentment as a “secret” but then
revealed the source of this attitude in the very next verse: “I can do all
things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). He is speaking, of course,
about Jesus.
In ourselves, there is no way we can muster contentment in
every situation. But once we understand that God works through our trials to
make us more like His Son and that our union with Christ strengthens us to
endure and even rejoice, we have a strong foundation for contentment no matter
what is going on around us.
Thought for today:
Do I trust God for strength? How does my strength “ply out” in my life?
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