Winning the Game of Life
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. (Philippians
4:11-12)
Contentment is not laziness
or settling for less than what we really want. Some may view those are content
as lacking motivation or energy, especially those who don’t have as much as the
world believes is adequate. Even those who do have abundance and what others
want are not content but continue to seek more and more. Being content is not
acceptable to the world. But, with God, contentment is not losing the game of
life, it is winning.
The apostle Paul was far
from lazy but was content when he was poor. He was also content when he had
everything he needed and more. It may seem easy to be content when we have
abundance and not lack. But that is not strictly true. We worry anyway because
that is the way we are. We worry about getting more even when we have plenty. We
worry about what we don’t have when we don’t think we have enough. The truth is
however that with God, we always have enough. If we love Him and make choices
based on His word, our situation is always what it is supposed to be. That is
what contentment is.
And my God will supply every need of yours
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
Contentment is trusting
in God that all our needs (not wants) will be met by Him. Paul knew that God
would take care of him. When we are content we are winning over our stress. We
are winning over worry. We are winning over the devil trying to make us think
that the worst is happening, and we aren’t going to make it through.
Knowing that God’s word
says He will meet our needs should empower us to enjoy contentment every day no
matter what is happening. This is not a weakness and does not mean we are
throwing up our hands and giving in. It means we are certain that our God will work
in our situation for the good of all.
Keep your life free from love of money, and be
content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor
forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
This verse can apply,
not only to money, but to a variety of things. If we love our job, our clothes,
our cars, even our families so much that we are not relaxed and enjoying them,
we are not content. Even as we work hard to be promoted or save money for a
different car, we should still be happy and satisfied with the situation as it
is.
Therefore, contentment
is not synonymous with laziness. Let us always accept that God is working in
our lives because we are His children. Ask Him to show us how He wants us to
proceed in life wherever we are and no matter what is happening. Let our
strength be in Him and not in our own striving.
Now there is great gain in godliness with
contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything
out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be
content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
In Timothy, contentment
is mentioned in the same sentence as godliness. God desires this great gain for
us and for our walk with Him. If we can know contentment in all situations, we
will be able to function better in our daily lives. Stress and worry cause us
to make bad choices, react badly to situations, and causes hurt in our
relationships. With contentment, we can think and pray, making right decisions
with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
We must remember that being content does not mean that
we stop trying or pushing forward for a better life with Christ or for our
families. It doesn’t mean we don’t care anymore. It means that we accept
circumstances as they are at that moment even as we do our best to improve our
situation as God leads.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with
weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am
weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
It is important for us
to show real contentment to the world. We need to show our great trust in God,
that He is always with us and that we are certain He is working in our lives,
even if we are struggling. Being content with what we have and with our current
circumstances is unfathomable to the world.
Unbelievers and those
who have not attained contentment will continue in stress and worry. They will
not understand our calmness in catastrophe or our satisfaction with less than the
world says will make us happy. Our contentment will confuse them so much and we
will have the joy of the Lord. That is winning the game of life.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is
stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Prayer:
Lord, who supplies all our needs, help us to be content with those needs and
not struggle for wants. Let us keep our minds on you and not on the things of
this world. As the world judges us and we feel weak help us to draw on your
strength for contentment and satisfaction with our situations. We want to be
content in you and nothing else. You are the only God and Father of us all and
we ask for help to trust you more. Amen.
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