Text: Philippians 4:1113

Topic: How to find true contentment in the midst of suffering

Introduction

• Attitude is a crucial ingredient in our health.
• In 23 years of preaching, I never preached on Philippians 4:1112"I have learned to be content" I didn't feel I grasped it. Now, during cancer treatments, God has been teaching me about contentment.

Contentment is not what many people think.

• Contentment is not being stoic, numb to suffering.
• Contentment is not necessarily liking our present circumstances.

Illustration: Vanderwell describes his struggle with cancer treatments and does not think we should look at burdens and say that we like them.

• Contentment is not settling for things that are less than they should be.

Illustration : Vanderwell describes the mediocre report cards of his youth; contentment is an inappropriate response to mediocrity.

Contentment is knowing you have all you need for your circumstances.

• Contentment is knowing that we have all we need for the present circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:6

2 Corinthians 9:8

• Christ so infuses strength in us that we are sufficient to handle what we face.

Illustration : Vanderwell describes his discontent when his car won't start, because he lacks the skills to fix it, while he feels content when his child needs help with a catechism lesson because he knows he can help.

• Contentment is taking your present situation—whatever obstacle you are facing—and saying in the middle of it, "I don't like it," but never saying, "I can't cope with it."

Contentment comes through the resources God provides.

• Contentment comes through union with Christ.

Phil. 4:13

• Contentment comes through prayer.

Phil. 4:67

• Contentment comes through thought control.

Phil. 4:8

• Contentment comes through a supportive fellowship.

Phil. 4:10

Phil. 4:14

Conclusion

• Contentment is the state of mind when we know that, in the midst of difficulty, Christ is within us and all his resources are fully available to us—no matter how deep the valley in life.