To Be Content

Who can tell me what Philippians 4:13 says?

What does it mean?

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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.

Philippians 4:13 is not a scripture on God endorsing you with power for everything you do, but rather it is a closing statement on a paragraph abut what it means to be content.

NIV translates Philippians 4:13 as saying:

Philippians 4:13 NIV

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

Let me give you some information on Paul who wrote this:

He was writing this letter from prison, awaiting possible execution

But he starts this letter off about how he has been able to witness to his guards

Paul has been shipwrecked, beaten, stones, snake bit, etc.

The whole purpose of this verse is that we are to be content in Christ no matter what life throws at us. Our attitude is not determined by what is around us but by who is in us and finding completeness in him.

Application

Let us be honest, sometimes life can suck. Sometimes life throws your curve ball after curve ball. Life at times seems to get out of control.

And so often rather than turning to God we turn to the weed, sex, anger, etc.

Instead of letting God embrace us, we turn and scream at him because we see everything as his fault (and we forget about all the good he gives)

God does not find joy in your pain, but he is a holy God and sin cannot go without punishment.

Sin is the pain signal that something is wrong with creation

Pain can be an act of grace

The truth of Philippians 4:13, is a truth of grace. God is letting us know rather life runs smoothly or we feel like life is betting the tar out of us unrelentingly that we can find contentedness and peace in it regardless because of who He is.

And on the flip side of this don’t forget who God is when things are going good, don’t loose sight, don’t grow complacent.

Don’t let the good times go to waste by chasing vain pursuits.

Youth

They say live it in your twenties Go and get yours go and get money Sow them wild oats slide with some honeys Yeah I tried that already and them lies don't satisfy buddy This one's really dumb they like have some fun Now and change tomorrow, but that may never come (Tick tock) And they saying they excuse is that they young Well you stop making excuses when a man's what you become Don't believe the lies yeah y'all ain't missing nothing 'Cept never ending games of holding on to sand grains They calling me a fool I giving what I can't keep Gaining what I can't lose

Chasing a championship or Chasing a record

Enjoy your time in sports, but don't get so caught up in sports goals that you forget to be a witness.

In life you will always either be in a good place or a bad place, but if you walk with Christ one thing can always be a constant in those situations.