Summer of Depth Devotional Day 46

Welcome to Day 46 of our Summer of Depth Devotional and Reading Plan.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

There’s a good chance you’ve heard that verse before. Maybe you’ve seen it on a shirt, a coffee mug, or written underneath an athlete’s shoes. But when Paul originally wrote those words, he wasn’t talking about accomplishing a dream or succeeding at something difficult.

He was talking about learning to be okay when life wasn’t going the way he wanted.

Let’s go deeper with this together right now.

Before anything else, slow down and read: Philippians 4:4-13.

Paul says something in verse 11 that is easy to miss: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

“Learned.”

Contentment didn't come naturally to Paul. It was something God formed in him over time. Paul had experienced abundance before, but he also knew hunger and need. He had lived through circumstances he certainly would not have chosen. Yet somewhere along the way, he discovered that his circumstances could change without changing the faithfulness of Jesus.

That’s the context for verse 13. When Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” the “all things” includes having plenty and having almost nothing. Christ gave him strength to remain faithful in both.

Most of us imagine contentment will arrive when something else finally changes. When there’s more money in the account. When the relationship gets easier. When the schedule settles down. When the prayer gets answered. We tell ourselves, “Once this changes, then I’ll have peace.”

Paul discovered something better.

Contentment isn't found in finally getting life under control. It's learned by discovering that Jesus is enough even when life isn't.

Maybe that’s why Paul begins this section by talking about prayer and where we place our thoughts. When anxiety comes, he tells us to bring our requests to God with thanksgiving. Then he tells us to intentionally think about what is true, good, and worthy of praise. There is an attentiveness to this kind of life. We slow down enough to notice where our minds are going and bring them back to what is true.

Practice:

Finish this sentence honestly:

“I think I would finally be content if __________.”

Sit with your answer for a moment.

Then bring that desire to Jesus and pray:

“Jesus, whether this changes or not, teach me to find my contentment in You.”