Day 310: Philippians 4:1–13

Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you (v. 9).

How many truly contented people do you know? They are rare gems, aren’t they? The enemy loves to see our discontentment because contented Christians live a powerful and effective testimony. Their lives are walking witnesses, proving that Christ can deliver what the gods of this world can’t. You can be sure of this: wherever one of these rare gems exist, a jewel thief is lurking close by.

We can identify the following five thieves of contentment based on Philippians 4:

1. Pettiness. To everyone who thought the apostle Paul did not believe in women in ministry, allow me to introduce Euodia and Syntyche: “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. . . . Help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side” (Phil. 4:2–3 hcsb). They worked right beside him. They were fellow workers! They had just one little problem: they couldn’t get along. Let’s admit it: people can be petty!

God intentionally made women sensitive. But I believe the counterfeit of sensitivity is pettiness. We tend to get our feelings hurt easily and take things personally. God gave us a special tenderness and sensitivity to lend a sweetness to our service. Pettiness, however, sours a servant’s heart and steals contentment.

2. Anxiety. I personally can’t think of a more successful jewel thief. Paul counters, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6 hcsb). No anxiety—what a thought! How do we turn off the valve that is pumping anxiety into our souls? Paul proposes an answer: prayer. You might say, “A better solution to fighting anxiety must exist. I’ve prayed—and still been anxious.” I want to suggest gently that you haven’t necessarily been practicing the kind of prayer Paul was describing as a prescription for anxiety.

Verse 6 describes an intimate and active prayer life. Notice Paul’s words for prayer and supplication. The word “prayer” refers to a very general kind of prayer. The word “petition” or “supplication” is translated from the Greek word deesis, describing a very personal kind of prayer. Deesis is “the petition for specific individual needs and wants.” Paul exhorted believers to come to God with general requests and needs as well as the details that cause us anxiety. And don’t give up! Persist until peace comes. Keep praying not only about your critical needs but about everything! An open line of communication with God reminds you He is real and active in your life, and the peace that overflows lends contentment.

3. Destructive thinking. Proverbs 23:7 describes man with the words, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (hcsb). We might say a person feels like he or she thinks. Our human natures tend toward negative and destructive thoughts. If ten people complimented you today and one person criticized, which would you go to bed thinking about tonight? Probably the criticism!

Destructive, negative thinking is a habit that can be broken, but this thief takes diligence to overcome. God knows the tendency of the mind to think and rethink on a certain subject, meditating on things. Paul gave us a wonderful checklist for determining whether our thoughts are worth thinking! “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable . . . dwell on these things” (Phil. 4:8 hcsb).

I struggle with destructive thinking just like you do. God has used Scripture memory and Bible study to set me free. I continue to make His Word a daily priority, but He also blesses the refreshment I gain from the occasional decent movie, a wholesome magazine, a good documentary, or a funny book. Worthy thought patterns are a key to contentment.

4. Resistance to learn. Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (v. 11 hcsb). No one was born with contentment. Paul learned from experience that God was faithful no matter what circumstance he met. Had he never been in want, He never would have learned! Often we’re in no mood to learn when we’re in difficult circumstances, but God desires to show us that we can’t meet a circumstance He can’t handle. We handcuff a sly thief of contentment when we ask God to give us hearts willing to learn.

5. Independence. Refusing to rely on God robs us of some of God’s most priceless riches. Through countless ups and downs, Paul learned he could do everything God called him to do, but only “through Him who strengthens me” (v. 13 hcsb). Through the multitude of needs Paul encountered, he learned that “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (v. 19 hcsb). I believe Paul considered reliance on God a secret because everyone has to discover it for themselves. I can tell you God will meet your every need. I can say that you can do all things through Christ; but until you find out for yourself, it’s still a secret. I can tell you, but He will show you. Let Him. He is so faithful.

Contentment is a rare gem. Because Paul ceased letting thieves steal his contentment, his testimony was powerful. Even many who belonged to Caesar’s household were compelled to know Christ! (see v. 22). Paul had a secret they wanted to know.