Peace and Contentment
While contentment is hard to find for most people, many are only content when things are going well in their lives. They look at good health and fortune as a means for being content. These are things that bring us happiness in life, but what about the times when things are not going so well? What do we do about the times when our health fails us, or when we are financially strapped, or we are being mistreated by others? Can we find peace and contentment during these times?
To help put things into perspective let us consider the Apostle Paul. As a prisoner in Rome, he wrote words of encouragement. He instructed the church at Philippi not to be anxious, but rather to be patient people. He told them to make their humble requests known to God through prayer. They were to live their lives with a spirit of thanksgiving. This mindset expresses gratitude to God regardless of the condition of life and provides peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6, 7). Many would say it is hard to have that mindset when one is dug deep in the trenches of life. Paul knew about these deep trenches. We can imagine Paul pacing the floors, his freedom stripped from him and his heart crying out.
We notice that Paul didn’t dwell so much on his own situation. His mind was on others. His immense love for the church is on display in the prison epistles. Most people when facing the trials of life see it as a time of self-reflection. They analyze how bad something is to the point they forget all the good things they have been blessed with. They forget how much they are loved by others and that they still play a vital role. Dwelling in excess on negative things, especially things from our past, can keep us from moving forward. Paul said, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13).
Regardless of how bad things get, the Christian always has something to look forward to. A home in heaven with God is the ultimate prize. We should also remember good things can come from the trials of life. Paul said, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Phil. 1:12). Let us always remember, “the testing of our faith produces patience” (James 1:3). Let us strive for peace and contentment regardless of our lot.
Brad Burkett
West End church of Christ • February 16, 2025