The Bible is the most-read book in the world, and it is said that Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 and 7, are the most highlighted verses in Scripture. And, verses 6-9 of Philippians 4 are among the most quoted and preached about verses in Scripture. This passage instructs us as to what we must do to deal with worry and anxiety and how we should practice ‘replacement theology’ in terms of our thoughts and thinking processes.

But there is something important that cannot be missed when looking at Philippians chapter 4, especially when considering what we need to do when dealing with the symptoms of anxiety and worry in our lives. Verse 11b of Philippians 4 says, “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (KJV).

Here, we see the Apostle Paul addressing the root cause of a lot of our worry, anxiety, and discontent. And when it comes to contentment, we see Paul telling us two things that we should know… 1. It is Initiated from our Experience, and 2. It is Independent of our Environment.

“For I have learned…”

Firstly, contentment is ‘initiated from our experience.’

Contentment is not something we get through our genetics, or inherit from our parents. It is not something that some are fortunate to be born with while others must do without. It is something that is learned through our experience, over time.

The word ‘learned’ in verse 11 comes from the Greek root word meaning an initiation that is gained through experience. It means to learn through practical experience rather than instruction through a theoretical lesson.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” The learning spoken about by Paul has come through his involvement in many life experiences.

It is often said that experience is the harshest of teachers because it gives us the exam first and the lesson after. Paul had experienced many things in his life that we can lean-on by trusting that God was in control… experiences that gave him complete peace and contentment in his life. More specifically, Paul experienced God’s Power, God’s Providence, and fulfillment of God’s Promises.

Experience of God’s ‘Power’ – Paul depended on the ‘power of Christ’ at work in his life and this dependance lead to his contentment. Paul wrote in Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (4:13 KJV). He knew, as Christ taught in John 15, that he was simply a branch, and if he stayed connected to Christ ‘The Vine’ he had all the power he needed to be content.

Experience God’s ‘Providence’ – God’s providence means that God has the prior understanding of everything that happens in the universe and as such, nothing is a surprise to God and everything is in His control to the extent that all events are ordered that the end for which the universe was created will be realized.

Proverbs 16:33 says, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” (KJV). Paul knew that God was in control of everything and that trust in God’s control meant that Paul could have true peace and contentment regardless of the situation he found himself in. like Joseph in Genesis, after all he had been through throughout his life, could turn to his brothers and say in Chapter 50, verse 20, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive” (KJV).

Experience God’s ‘Promises’ – Every word in Scripture is a promise from God that we can turn to and rely on. Every time we read in Scripture, God saying the words ‘I will,’ should give us contentment because He is the Promise Keeper of the universe!

God says to those who belong to Him; ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ‘I will protect you.’ ‘I will supply your every need.’ ‘I will guide you.’ Paul knew, through experience, he could trust in God’s promises and this gave him contentment.

(The Secret of Contentment – Part II will come to you next week)

Mat Mikhail
January 19, 2024