I feel like I am particularly suited to write this post, among other reasons because I have been basically limited to my recliner for the past 48 hours with a cold and a bad sore throat!  This morning I read Philippians 4 as part of my morning devotional time, and my attention zeroed in on verse 11, where Paul writes: “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”  He goes on to say that he has learned to be content whether he is in humble circumstances or in prosperity, that he has “learned the secret of being filled and going hungry.”

This spoke to me today, in my “less than desirable circumstance”!  There truly IS an important “secret” here, a “secret of contentment” if you would.  Do you know why Paul could be content whether he was rich or poor, in humble or prosperous circumstances?  Because it was not his circumstances, whatever they were, which would render him happy.  This is one of the “secrets to contentment”: knowing that your circumstances do not create real happiness.  Riches will not make you happy.  There are many miserable rich people who can prove it!  Living as a pauper is not the “secret” to contentment either.  Neither is having a bigger house, or car, or a better job, or a different spouse, or better health – all the things that some people think will really make them happy.  No, the secret to true happiness (spell that “joy”!) is not found in any of those circumstances, but in the Lord Himself. 

This was not a “new” idea even in the New Testament.  Psalm 149:2 says, “Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King.”  God designed us to find our joy in Him. We see that emphasized all through Philippians, where Paul repeatedly says “rejoice in the Lord”; “rejoice in the Lord always.”  Our happiness (joy) is to be found in our relationship with Him.  That is why Paul goes on to say at the end of that “secret of contentment” passage, in Philippians 4:13 (many people are ignorant of this context when they quote it, by the way!):  “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”   Paul is saying that he can be happy in any circumstances through Christ – because his happiness is not going to come from his circumstances anyway, but from the Lord Himself. 

I think a major step forward for some of us would be to STOP looking for happiness from a change of circumstances – and unfortunately I think that is exactly what most people are doing.  They think they would be happy if only their circumstances were different: “if only I had another car, I’d be happy.”  Or “if only I had another job, I’d be happy.” Or, “If I only had a different spouse, I’d be happy.”  Or “If only I had more money”, or were not sick … and on and on ….  But the truth is, you would NOT be happy in ANY of those circumstances if you did not have a relationship with the Lord, for HE is the only One who can make you truly happy.  Well then, if that is true, then you can have that same happiness RIGHT NOW – in your PRESENT circumstances, by finding it in the only place it is available: in your relationship with God. 

So that is where we all need to focus our efforts: on being content in the very circumstances in which we find ourselves in right now — rich or poor, sick or well — and finding our happiness in the Lord.  Learn to talk to Him constantly; “practice the presence of God”; delight in singing songs of praise to Him.  Psalm 16:11 says “In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”  Dedicate yourself to seeking the joy and pleasures that come from His presence.  Perhaps if you develop a genuine happiness in Him in your present circumstances, He may see fit to change those circumstances.  But even if He does, you will have already found a blessing far greater than your newly found prospects: you will have found “The Secret of Contentment” — whatever your circumstances — through your personal relationship with Him! 

“You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound.”          Psalm 4:7