The Biblical Secret To Being Content (& A Prayer To Get You Started)
Philippians 4:12-13 says: “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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Have you ever been at a point in your life where you just feel content? Content with where your life is, where your family is, where you are in your career…Have you ever felt that everything is just right where it needs to be?
In this text, Paul is content; and he was content, not because everything was going well for him, but because he could see life from the point of view of the Heavenly Father.
How can we do that? It’s a serious question that can be answered very simply: Paul had his priorities in order, and his priorities aligned with God’s plan. Now there’s one more thing…and this might be the most important piece of this entire puzzle.
He removed himself from the non-essential so that he could focus on the essential, or in better words, the eternal.
So often we seek to fill this empty spot in our lives with the wrong things. We have to ask ourselves…When we’re empty, what do we try to fill that emptiness with? We may try to find and fulfill our own predefined level of true contentment, when really what we need to do is fix our eyes on God.
The secret to being truly content? It lies in our perspective, our priorities, and where we draw our power from. If we draw our power from temporary sources, then we’re going to get temporary results. If we draw your power from the eternal and align our hearts with God, we will be able to live life with unshakeable contentment just like Paul.
Here is a prayer we can bring to God to get started, and whenever we need Him to realign our priorities:
Dear God,
As I go through this life, I pray that You will be at the center of everything I do. May you align my heart and my priorities with Your path for my life. Remove desires and plans that are not of You, and replace them with ones that are. Please give me an eternal perspective and show me what it means to be truly content in You.
In Jesus Christ’s holy name I pray, Amen!
“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
