Proverbs 14.30
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
Contentment … a very appropriate topicon this first day of the new year!
It is described different ways: Calmness of spirit. Peace of mind. Serenity. Tranquility. Contentment. It is a condition of mind and heart when one trusts God and is deeply focused on the moment. Distractions are blocked out, anxiety is absent, fear is defeated, stress is eliminated … irrespective of the circumstances.
As the Proverb above says, that kind of tranquility of heart gives life to the flesh. The opposite — when we are jealous or envious or anxious or fearful — is a condition of mind and heart that is emotionally and physically debilitating.
The point is that although on opposite ends of the spectrum, peace and anxiety are both deeply felt. Not just emotionally, but also physically.
It is critical to understand that the peace that God gives is unrelated to circumstances; it is a goodness/fullness of life that is not touched by what happens on the outside. You can be in the midst of great trials, feel the pain/stress, and still have peace. The presence of contentment does not eliminate the pain and stress; rather, it mitigates it and puts it in perspective. Contentment helps you focus on what you need to do, not on how you feel.
Paul said he could be content in any circumstance; and he demonstrated that he had peace even in the jail at Philippi, where he sang and remained confident that God was being gracious to him.
When the opportunity arose, Paul communicated God’s goodness to the Philippian jailer, and brought him and his family to salvation. Likewise, James wrote, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (James 1:2).
Scripture makes it clear that the presence (or absence) of peace directly affects your heart/mind, and thus your mental state, and thus your ability to function effectively. When you are operating from Spirit-empowered inner peace, your heart and your mind are protected and you operate at the highest level of effectiveness. You see more clearly and make better decisions. You lead more effectively. You solve more problems. You achieve at a higher level. You listen better and speak more clearly. You are more productive.
But when the peace of Christ does not occupy your heart and mind, then you operate from fear, anxiety, and frustration. You are more stressed and you function at a much lower level. You are not nearly as effective at doing your job. This is especially true in response to challenging situations.
Philippians 4:11-13
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Note that Paul says that he has learned to be content in any situation. In other words, he had to go through a variety of experiences — some good, some bad — and through those experiences learned to trust in the grace and power and peace of God. Read the passage several times. Meditate on it. Note that in verse 13 Paul tells us not only the secret of contentment, but also how he learned it. It’s a famous verse that is frequently quoted, but just as often misunderstood.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
This verse is most often quoted by people who claim that God will help them achieve their goals and dreams. It is particularly popular among athletes and entertainers. But let’s be crystal clear: the “all things” that Paul is talking about are things that are pleasing to God.
In other words, you learn contentment by trusting and doing. Rarely does God simply give you peace and contentment. If you want to experience contentment in Christ, then you just respond to his love and his lordship. You must trust him and do what needs to done in response to reality of the situation. And the more challenging the situation, the deeper the trust and the more difficult the doing.
Consider the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the book of Daniel. They are a great example of contentment as they stood their ground in face of Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimatum: “If you do not worship [the image], you will be thrown immediately into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hand?” (Daniel 3.15)
Their reply (3:16-18) is powerful in its clarity, and in their trust in who God is.
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.” (The three men did not panic. They were calm and thinking and speaking clearly.)
“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.” (They were respectful, but bold and decisive — they knew their God!)
“But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
(They simply asserted that whatever happens doesn’t change their trust in the Lord. God intervenes, or he doesn’t. They are delivered from the fire or burned by it. They live or they die. Either way, they knew God and were content.)
The key point from Philippians and Daniel is that contentment is not determined by the situation. Peace is not about circumstances. Contentment is about trusting God and doing what needs to be done.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26.3-4)
More thoughts tomorrow on contentment.
