“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am in, to be content.”
~ Phil 4:11~
This scripture reminds me of a story of a family who had to make the difficult decision to place their precious father into an assisted-living community. He had lost his wife several years before and had become unable to care for himself and his home. The children decided it was best for him to be in a place where he didn’t have to cook, clean, or remember to take his medication.
They held a family meeting and told Arthur they felt this was the best thing for him. He softly spoke, “Oh sure, this sounds like it will be a great idea, since I am in need of a little more assistance these days.” They were all relieved as Arthur had taken it so well.
The day came for Arthur to go to his new home. The family had placed the furniture that he was allowed to take into his room. They had it all set up for him when he arrived. When they came to the door, they handed him his key. Arthur stood there quietly and paused for a moment. His daughter asked, “Dad, what’s wrong?”
He said quietly, “I love it. I love it already.”
His daughter replied, “But you haven’t seen it yet!”
He said, “I know, but I already know I love it.”
You see, Arthur was a gentle, humble soul who loved Jesus and knew that part of becoming more like Jesus, he must learn to guard his heart. Arthur had “set” his heart and mind to love his new home before he had even seen it.
1 Timothy 6:6 tells us, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” Why does the Bible tell us ‘it’s great gain’? Because a heart of contentment is relying upon God as Provider; knowing that He will provide, we have no need to worry, so we can fully trust in Him. And if we are constantly complaining, we begin to sound more worldly than godly. It begins to sound like God isn’t good.
At the age of 19, I moved to California. I was far from home, and when Christmas time came around, I couldn’t make it back for Christmas. As I talked to my mother, I cried and complained about California, the apartment, and being so far from home. I was brokenhearted. My precious mother quoted Philippians 4:11 to me,
“Therefore, whatever state I am in, I will therefore be content.”
She said, “And that doesn’t mean a different state, it means a state of mind.” I quoted that scripture over and over again. Every time I started to grumble or complain, Philippians 4:11 came into my heart, and I quickly spoke it out loud.
You see, if we grumble, complain, worry, or let any other joy-stealers in, we are out of God’s will. We are out of His will because we aren’t walking and talking from a place of joy and gratitude. Oh sure, it’s easy to get caught up in a grumble-fest, but it’s not what God wants for us. Those behaviors steal our joy and open the door to many more “negative” behaviors, besides complaining. If we are busy counting our blessings, it’s hard to notice our lack! When our heart is set on Jesus, we walk in the abundant peace and joy that He promises to give us. Then we are a better reflection of Him.
God truly is the giver of all good things, because if it ain’t good, it ain’t God, and complaining ain’t good! If I find myself in a moment of discontentment, I start praising and thanking God for who He is and all He has done for me, and guess what? Yes! All my complaining ceases, and I transfer my grumbling heart and mind to gratitude toward the Lord, and then I am changed. My heart becomes free, and joy enters in.
God’s word gives us some beautiful reminders when it comes to guarding our hearts:
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.” ~ Luke 6:45
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring, the issues of life.” ~ Proverbs 4:23
“Do all things without complaining and grumbling, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” ~ Phil 2:14-16
So I am going to try to be more like Arthur and set my heart on always being content. Then I can strive to become more like Jesus. I will learn to love whatever season God places me in, even if the circumstances aren’t ideal. I know my Savior gave His life for me, and Jesus is all I need; His Spirit will guide me to accomplish and grow a heart that is content.
Beth Nahkala
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#bethnahkalablogs