Non-Circumstantial

Paul’s situation is dire as he’s under house arrest. Chained to a Roman guard in the first-century sounds like a circumstance that would lead to discontentment. Yet, Paul says he is content. It isn’t that Paul doesn’t know what it means to live a good life. He was part of the religious elite in 1st-century Israel. His education tells us he probably grew up with money. He says what he does or doesn’t have isn’t the key to his contentment. Contentment is all about God. It’s about finding joy and peace in God regardless of the circumstances.

We won’t find real contentment in a change in our circumstances either. Contentment isn’t found in a bank account balance, vaccine, relationship or dream job. Our circumstances will never lead to lasting contentment—we can find it only in God.

Contentment in God allows us to have a heart fully alive to the people around us here and now, so we experience freedom no matter if our circumstances change. We have freedom centered not on what is happening around us but on God, what Jesus accomplished on the cross and his promise about our eternal future.