So many of us are going through such difficult times, including me, so I thought maybe I'd share what I'd studied about the following verses with everyone by sharing what Wiersbe says about it and the notes I've written on them. I'll also include some other encouraging scriptures at the end.
Philippians 4:11–13 —I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. *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. *I can do everything through him who gives me strength. *
As he wrote Phil 4:11–12, every movement of his hand clanked the chain with which he was linked to a soldier. The pillars of Christian character
Paul is quick to let his friends know that he is not complaining! His happiness does not depend on circumstances or things; his joy comes from something deeper, something apart from either poverty or prosperity. Most of us have learned how to “be abased,” because when difficulties come we immediately run to the Lord! But few have learned how “to abound.” Prosperity has done more damage to believers than has adversity. “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17).
The word “instructed” in Philippians 4:12 is not the same as “learned” in Philippians 4:11. “Instructed” means “initiated into the secret.” This word was used by the pagan religions with reference to their “inner secrets.” Through trial and testing, Paul was “initiated” into the wonderful secret of contentment in spite of poverty or prosperity. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). It was the power of Christ within him that gave him spiritual contentment.
Fog had moved into O’Hare Field, the airport that serves Chicago, and my departure had been delayed. I was sitting in the terminal reading a book and quietly asking God to work out His plans for the trip. Near me was a gentleman waiting for the same plane, but he was pacing up and down like a caged lion, and the language he was using to describe the fog was making the atmosphere more dense! I thought to myself, “Here is a man without any inner resources.” Later, he asked me how I could be so calm when the planes were all late, and I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with him.
While flying back to Chicago from upper New York via New York City, we had to stay in our holding pattern over Kennedy Airport for more than an hour. When the stewardess announced that we would be landing an hour late, a man across the aisle shouted, “Bring out the booze!” This was his only resource when things were going against him.
All of nature depends on hidden resources. The great trees send their roots down into the earth to draw up water and minerals. Rivers have their sources in the snow-capped mountains. The most important part of a tree is the part you cannot see, the root system, and the most important part of the Christian’s life is the part that only God sees. Unless we draw on the deep resources of God by faith, we fail against the pressures of life. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life (see Phil. 1:6, 21; 2:12–13; 3:10). “I can—through Christ!” was Paul’s motto, and it can be our motto too.
“I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me,” is the way J.B. Phillips translates Philippians 4:13. The Living Bible puts it this way: “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” No matter which translation you prefer, they all say the same thing: the Christian has all the power within that he needs to be adequate for the demands of life. We need only release this power by faith.
Jesus teaches this same lesson in the sermon on the vine and branches in John 15. He is the Vine; we are the branches. A branch is good only for bearing fruit; otherwise you may as well burn it. The branch does not bear fruit through its own self-effort, but by drawing on the life of the Vine. “Without Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). As the believer maintains his communion with Christ, the power of God is there to see him through. “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency” (Phil. 4:13, AMP).
The overruling providence of God and the unfailing power of God are two spiritual resources on which we can draw that we might be adequate for the tasks of life. But there is a third resource-The Unchanging Promise of God (Phil. 4:14–20).
Contentment comes from adequate resources. Our resources are the providence of God, the power of God, and the promises of God. These resources made Paul sufficient for every demand of life, and they can make us sufficient too. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Php 4:11–13).
These words show us that contentment isn't a natural propensity of man. Covetousness, discontent, & murmuring are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. We need not sow thistles & brambles; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth: & so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. Paul says, “I have learned … to be content;” as much as to say, he did not know how at one time. It cost him some pains to attain to the mystery of that great truth. No doubt he sometimes thought he had learned, & then broke down. Don't indulge the notion that you can be contented with learning, or learn without discipline. It's not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Hush that murmur, natural though it be, (take that thought captive!) & continue a diligent pupil in the College of Content. Morning and evening
Discontent & ingratitude will steal your joy. True joy is God’s gift to every believer, & yet many Christians seem to lack it. As with peace, assurance, & other benefits of salvation, joy can be forfeited for many reasons. Willful sin, prayerlessness, fear, self-centeredness, focusing on circumstances, & lack of forgiveness are the main culprits. Two of the most common joy-thieves are dissatisfaction & ingratitude. Paul made no demands on God but simply trusted in His gracious provision. Whether he received little or much made no difference to him. In either case he was satisfied & thankful. Don’t be victimized by the spirit of our age. See God’s blessings for what they are, & continually praise Him for His goodness. In doing so you will guard your heart from dissatisfaction & ingratitude. More important, you will bring joy to the One who is worthy of all praise. Drawing Near—
The words I have learned the secret was a technical term meaning “to initiate into the mysteries.” Paul used it here to suggest a kind of initiation by his experiences into being content when either well fed or hungry, & either in plenty or in want. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Existentialism, the dominant mindset of contemporary psychology implies that every man has the right to do whatever makes him feel good. Wrong thinking like that stems from self–centered pride. Some deceive themselves by thinking their sin doesn’t hurt anyone, but sin always ends up hurting. In contrast to self–love, Scripture says we’re to be humble & unselfish, love those who mistreat us, & extend mercy toward those who stumble repeatedly. Those qualities enabled Paul to be content in any circumstances. In contrast, some take all that they hear & see & filter it to see if it wounds them in any way, which will result in instability & anxiety. When others mistreat you, humility will help you keep your balance. Truth for today
"The Lord's my shepherd...I shall not want." Is that the testimony of your heart? The Lord's my shepherd, I have no needs, I have enough. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Christian people really gave that kind of testimony to the watching world? That we'd found in our God & in the salvation that He provides & in the spiritual resources at our disposal total satisfaction, that we were absolutely content. A satisfied heart should be the experience of every single Christian. Contentment is a spiritual virtue & discontent is a sin. Instead of manifesting to the world satisfaction & contentment that shows our true trust in God & our true heavenly perspective, we get all caught up in the materialistic surge of our society. 7 Keys to Contented Living
“My self–sufficiency, my level of contentment, lies in the sufficiency of Christ to meet my every need. I can endure rain or shine, darkness or light, sorrow or joy, because through Him, I am equipped and sustained.” Despite circumstances, you can enjoy true contentment when you accept the truth that Christ is adequate for your every need—in good times and bad. Help me be content despite the circumstances of my life. O God, my sufficiency is in Your ability to meet my needs. In You, I am equipped to face the challenges of this day. Enter His gates
The word content does not mean “complacent.” Paul was anything but complacent! Contentment is actually containment—having the spiritual resources within to face life courageously & handle it successfully. Contentment is divine adequacy. Contentment is having that spiritual artesian well within so that you don’t have to run to the broken cisterns of the world to get what you need. The power of Christ in the inner man is all we need for the demands of life. Resources on the outside, such as friends, counselors & encouragements, are only helpful as they strengthen our resources on the inside.
We fight change & rob ourselves of the contentment God can give us if we'll but yield to Him. Those difficulties that you're fighting, & complaining about, may be the very tools God wants to use to give you inner peace & sufficiency. Stop fighting; yield to Christ & you'll learn how to be content. Paul knew that real joy doesn't come from comfortable circumstances on the outside, but from spiritual adequacy on the inside. How does this inner contentment reveal itself? We have a peace that keeps us from falling apart & doing impulsive things; a patience that sustains us when all around us seems to be disintegrating. There's an inner peace & poise that makes us master of the situation—victors, not victims. The bumps are what you climb on.
Apart from Him we can do nothing. While we're abiding in Him nothing's impossible. The 1 purpose of our life should be to remain in living & intense union with Christ, guarding against everything that would break it, employing every means of cementing & enlarging it.. In proportion as we do so, we'll find His strength flowing into us for every possible emergency. We may not feel its presence; but we'll find it present whenever we begin to draw on it. There's no temptation we can't master; no privation we can't patiently bear; no difficulty we can't cope with; no work we can't perform; no confession or testimony we can't make, if our souls are living in healthy union with Christ; for as our day or hour, so shall our strength be. Thoughts for the quiet hour
He will not impose upon you one needless burden. He will not exact more than He knows your strength will bear. He will ask no Peter to come to Him on the water, unless He impart at the same time strength and support on the unstable waves. He will not ask you to draw water if the well is too deep, or to withdraw the stone if too heavy. But neither at the same time will He admit as an impossibility that which, as a free and responsible agent, it is in your power to avert. He will not regard as your misfortune what is your crime. Macduff Thoughts for the quiet hour.
The Gr. word for strengthen means “to put power in.” Because believers are in Christ (Gal 2:20), He infuses them with His strength to sustain them until they receive some provision (Eph 3:16–20; 2Co 12:10). The MacArthur study Bible
Ephesians 3:14–21 —For this reason I kneel before the Father, *from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. *I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, *so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, *may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, *and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. *Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, *to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. *
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 —To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. *Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. *But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. *That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. *
Philippians 1:6 —being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. *
Philippians 2:12–13 —Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, *for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. *
John 15:5 —“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. *
Philippians 4:19 —And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. *
Psalm 68:19 —Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah *
Psalm 31:19 —How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. *
Philippians 4:11–13 —I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. *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. *I can do everything through him who gives me strength. *
As he wrote Phil 4:11–12, every movement of his hand clanked the chain with which he was linked to a soldier. The pillars of Christian character
Paul is quick to let his friends know that he is not complaining! His happiness does not depend on circumstances or things; his joy comes from something deeper, something apart from either poverty or prosperity. Most of us have learned how to “be abased,” because when difficulties come we immediately run to the Lord! But few have learned how “to abound.” Prosperity has done more damage to believers than has adversity. “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17).
The word “instructed” in Philippians 4:12 is not the same as “learned” in Philippians 4:11. “Instructed” means “initiated into the secret.” This word was used by the pagan religions with reference to their “inner secrets.” Through trial and testing, Paul was “initiated” into the wonderful secret of contentment in spite of poverty or prosperity. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). It was the power of Christ within him that gave him spiritual contentment.
Fog had moved into O’Hare Field, the airport that serves Chicago, and my departure had been delayed. I was sitting in the terminal reading a book and quietly asking God to work out His plans for the trip. Near me was a gentleman waiting for the same plane, but he was pacing up and down like a caged lion, and the language he was using to describe the fog was making the atmosphere more dense! I thought to myself, “Here is a man without any inner resources.” Later, he asked me how I could be so calm when the planes were all late, and I had the opportunity to share the Gospel with him.
While flying back to Chicago from upper New York via New York City, we had to stay in our holding pattern over Kennedy Airport for more than an hour. When the stewardess announced that we would be landing an hour late, a man across the aisle shouted, “Bring out the booze!” This was his only resource when things were going against him.
All of nature depends on hidden resources. The great trees send their roots down into the earth to draw up water and minerals. Rivers have their sources in the snow-capped mountains. The most important part of a tree is the part you cannot see, the root system, and the most important part of the Christian’s life is the part that only God sees. Unless we draw on the deep resources of God by faith, we fail against the pressures of life. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life (see Phil. 1:6, 21; 2:12–13; 3:10). “I can—through Christ!” was Paul’s motto, and it can be our motto too.
“I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me,” is the way J.B. Phillips translates Philippians 4:13. The Living Bible puts it this way: “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” No matter which translation you prefer, they all say the same thing: the Christian has all the power within that he needs to be adequate for the demands of life. We need only release this power by faith.
Jesus teaches this same lesson in the sermon on the vine and branches in John 15. He is the Vine; we are the branches. A branch is good only for bearing fruit; otherwise you may as well burn it. The branch does not bear fruit through its own self-effort, but by drawing on the life of the Vine. “Without Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). As the believer maintains his communion with Christ, the power of God is there to see him through. “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency” (Phil. 4:13, AMP).
The overruling providence of God and the unfailing power of God are two spiritual resources on which we can draw that we might be adequate for the tasks of life. But there is a third resource-The Unchanging Promise of God (Phil. 4:14–20).
Contentment comes from adequate resources. Our resources are the providence of God, the power of God, and the promises of God. These resources made Paul sufficient for every demand of life, and they can make us sufficient too. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Php 4:11–13).
These words show us that contentment isn't a natural propensity of man. Covetousness, discontent, & murmuring are as natural to man as thorns are to the soil. We need not sow thistles & brambles; they come up naturally enough, because they are indigenous to earth: & so, we need not teach men to complain; they complain fast enough without any education. But the precious things of the earth must be cultivated. Paul says, “I have learned … to be content;” as much as to say, he did not know how at one time. It cost him some pains to attain to the mystery of that great truth. No doubt he sometimes thought he had learned, & then broke down. Don't indulge the notion that you can be contented with learning, or learn without discipline. It's not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be acquired gradually. We know this from experience. Hush that murmur, natural though it be, (take that thought captive!) & continue a diligent pupil in the College of Content. Morning and evening
Discontent & ingratitude will steal your joy. True joy is God’s gift to every believer, & yet many Christians seem to lack it. As with peace, assurance, & other benefits of salvation, joy can be forfeited for many reasons. Willful sin, prayerlessness, fear, self-centeredness, focusing on circumstances, & lack of forgiveness are the main culprits. Two of the most common joy-thieves are dissatisfaction & ingratitude. Paul made no demands on God but simply trusted in His gracious provision. Whether he received little or much made no difference to him. In either case he was satisfied & thankful. Don’t be victimized by the spirit of our age. See God’s blessings for what they are, & continually praise Him for His goodness. In doing so you will guard your heart from dissatisfaction & ingratitude. More important, you will bring joy to the One who is worthy of all praise. Drawing Near—
The words I have learned the secret was a technical term meaning “to initiate into the mysteries.” Paul used it here to suggest a kind of initiation by his experiences into being content when either well fed or hungry, & either in plenty or in want. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Existentialism, the dominant mindset of contemporary psychology implies that every man has the right to do whatever makes him feel good. Wrong thinking like that stems from self–centered pride. Some deceive themselves by thinking their sin doesn’t hurt anyone, but sin always ends up hurting. In contrast to self–love, Scripture says we’re to be humble & unselfish, love those who mistreat us, & extend mercy toward those who stumble repeatedly. Those qualities enabled Paul to be content in any circumstances. In contrast, some take all that they hear & see & filter it to see if it wounds them in any way, which will result in instability & anxiety. When others mistreat you, humility will help you keep your balance. Truth for today
"The Lord's my shepherd...I shall not want." Is that the testimony of your heart? The Lord's my shepherd, I have no needs, I have enough. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Christian people really gave that kind of testimony to the watching world? That we'd found in our God & in the salvation that He provides & in the spiritual resources at our disposal total satisfaction, that we were absolutely content. A satisfied heart should be the experience of every single Christian. Contentment is a spiritual virtue & discontent is a sin. Instead of manifesting to the world satisfaction & contentment that shows our true trust in God & our true heavenly perspective, we get all caught up in the materialistic surge of our society. 7 Keys to Contented Living
“My self–sufficiency, my level of contentment, lies in the sufficiency of Christ to meet my every need. I can endure rain or shine, darkness or light, sorrow or joy, because through Him, I am equipped and sustained.” Despite circumstances, you can enjoy true contentment when you accept the truth that Christ is adequate for your every need—in good times and bad. Help me be content despite the circumstances of my life. O God, my sufficiency is in Your ability to meet my needs. In You, I am equipped to face the challenges of this day. Enter His gates
The word content does not mean “complacent.” Paul was anything but complacent! Contentment is actually containment—having the spiritual resources within to face life courageously & handle it successfully. Contentment is divine adequacy. Contentment is having that spiritual artesian well within so that you don’t have to run to the broken cisterns of the world to get what you need. The power of Christ in the inner man is all we need for the demands of life. Resources on the outside, such as friends, counselors & encouragements, are only helpful as they strengthen our resources on the inside.
We fight change & rob ourselves of the contentment God can give us if we'll but yield to Him. Those difficulties that you're fighting, & complaining about, may be the very tools God wants to use to give you inner peace & sufficiency. Stop fighting; yield to Christ & you'll learn how to be content. Paul knew that real joy doesn't come from comfortable circumstances on the outside, but from spiritual adequacy on the inside. How does this inner contentment reveal itself? We have a peace that keeps us from falling apart & doing impulsive things; a patience that sustains us when all around us seems to be disintegrating. There's an inner peace & poise that makes us master of the situation—victors, not victims. The bumps are what you climb on.
Apart from Him we can do nothing. While we're abiding in Him nothing's impossible. The 1 purpose of our life should be to remain in living & intense union with Christ, guarding against everything that would break it, employing every means of cementing & enlarging it.. In proportion as we do so, we'll find His strength flowing into us for every possible emergency. We may not feel its presence; but we'll find it present whenever we begin to draw on it. There's no temptation we can't master; no privation we can't patiently bear; no difficulty we can't cope with; no work we can't perform; no confession or testimony we can't make, if our souls are living in healthy union with Christ; for as our day or hour, so shall our strength be. Thoughts for the quiet hour
He will not impose upon you one needless burden. He will not exact more than He knows your strength will bear. He will ask no Peter to come to Him on the water, unless He impart at the same time strength and support on the unstable waves. He will not ask you to draw water if the well is too deep, or to withdraw the stone if too heavy. But neither at the same time will He admit as an impossibility that which, as a free and responsible agent, it is in your power to avert. He will not regard as your misfortune what is your crime. Macduff Thoughts for the quiet hour.
The Gr. word for strengthen means “to put power in.” Because believers are in Christ (Gal 2:20), He infuses them with His strength to sustain them until they receive some provision (Eph 3:16–20; 2Co 12:10). The MacArthur study Bible
Ephesians 3:14–21 —For this reason I kneel before the Father, *from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. *I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, *so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, *may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, *and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. *Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, *to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. *
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 —To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. *Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. *But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. *That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. *
Philippians 1:6 —being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. *
Philippians 2:12–13 —Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, *for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. *
John 15:5 —“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. *
Philippians 4:19 —And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. *
Psalm 68:19 —Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah *
Psalm 31:19 —How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. *
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