Hope & Quill Co.

Do you ever feel contempt for your situation? Like the path you’re on is overwhelmingly hard and unjust?

Paul certainly seems to feel contempt when he writes to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 4, he tells them that, as an apostle, he has faced hunger, thirst, nakedness, homelessness, persecution, suffering, buffeting and reviling. This is a man who went from having everything as a high ranking Pharisee to being abased in the service of Christ.

He does not write with a joyful pen, saying these are all great things. But rather, his pen is heavy, bidding warning of such service—not to be avoided, but certainly made aware.

However, by the time Paul writes the book of Philippians, roughly eight years later, he tells the Philippians, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

Often, we think the Apostles were these superhumans who did not struggle with the same flesh we deal with. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is an admission of the same human element we all face—imperfection. His contentment was a learned contentment.

How often do we find ourselves in situations where we are serving the Lord and doing all the “right” things, yet feel contempt for where we are in life?

Prayers we’ve prayed, but God hasn’t answered—at least not how we want Him to.

Burdens we carry alone, afraid that taking our hands off and laying it at Jesus’ feet will somehow mean we aren’t trying hard enough.

Desires we yearn for but seem to be getting no closer to our goals.

It is easy to find ourselves feeling contempt in places of uncertainty. But just like Paul, we must learn to be content in whatever state we are in, trusting that God will work all things together for good.

So remember . . .  

In your state of waiting, He’s the God of tomorrow.

In your state of singleness, He’s your beloved and friend.

In your state of grief, He’s the God of all comfort.

In your state of heartache, He’s the heart mender.

In your state of loneliness, He’s a faithful friend.

Regardless of what state you are in, true contentment is found in trusting Jesus.

So give your burden to Him. Trust Him with your worry, your struggle, your heart.

Don’t allow your situation to lead to contempt, but rather learn contentment through resting and trusting in Jesus.