This is a question I have been struggling to obtain an answer for so many weeks now, and I have to say that I found the answer just tonight…

Imagine this…

You are thrown into a prison for a long time…

Your appeals do not reach those who should hear…

You are trapped…

This is the life of Paul when he was imprisoned by the Romans. Imagining what Paul had experienced brings emotions mixed into one’s heart. How can he survive there? 

He has records of letters to different churches and people that he came across in different locations. One in particular is the Philippians. He wrote to them saying these things:

Philippians 4:12

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:20

To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

If you read the verses, Philippians 4:10-20, you will notice a very thankful Paul. Let me tell you my point of view in Paul’s messages there…

Philippians 4:12 – Content

Paul learned the secret of being content with everything God has to give him in his path. It may not be pleasant, such as being imprisoned for a long time, but Paul learned to accept and thank God for everything that He has bestowed upon Paul. This is one trait that most of us, specially me, have a hard time dealing with. With the limitless pleasures this world has to offer, we stop and compete with other people, leaving us uncontented with what we have. 

Within the past weeks, God has poured new blessing upon us. However, in the midst of those blessings, I have to admit that I felt uncontented with what I have and I asked more from God. This is true. Then I saw myself and asked ‘what the heck is wrong with you?’. Since then I felt ashamed of talking to God for how I treated his blessings with incontentment…until now. Now, like Paul, i know now the secret to being content. It is by just thanking God for everything. And I mean everything.

Philippians 4:13 – Faith

We are contented now, but how long would it last? This world got so much in store for all of us that we may, one day, fall again and feel this incontentment within us. How can we avoid it? How can we be like Paul who held it together for so long inside a four walled prison?

I think, in my own personal opinion, it is Faith. Paul says that he can do all things through Him who gives Paul strength, which is Jesus Christ. That my friends, is what we call overflowing faith. In the midst of bad events in Paul’s life, he kept his Faith in the Lord, and I think this is the main fuel that helped him a lot…

Philippians 4:20 – Acknowledgement

Do we acknowledge Him? With all the grace He poured on us, di we even give any praises and acknowledgement to Him? I admit, most of the time I forget this one. This is not your simple prayer of thanks but more of a prayer of praises. This could be any form, it depends on the person giving praise. Lift up God and acknowledge Him. This is the least we can to with the love that he has been giving us.

I am wrong for being uncontented with the blessing God has poured out on me and I think this is because I really dont know how to fix myself until now. Be content, keep your faith strong, and lastly acknowledge Him who has provided us. 

Now… reflect on your life. Are you content?