For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances. -Philippians 4:11

Let’s talk about being content. How can we be content when we are in situations or circumstances that make us feel otherwise?

We do it with through Him. In Philippians 4:13, Paul explains that he is able to be content no matter the circumstances through him who gives me strength. When we prayerfully present our requests to God and ask for the strength, He will empower us. He wants us to be content and we can, in His strength.

I recently came across a quote by BJ Thompson that I’ve been pondering: “Until Jesus is enough nothing else will be.” Maybe the reason we aren’t content is because we weren’t created to be content without Him. Without Him, we are restless. Nothing in this world will ever satisfy us like He does. And until we let Him fill us, we will never be wholly content. We must drink from the water, in order to never be thirsty. If we are thirsting, we aren’t replenishing our souls. If we are reaching for earthly distractions to give us pleasure, we aren’t knocking back enough of Jesus. If we are looking for love or other people to meet all of our needs, we aren’t consuming enough of Him. If we are grasping at the next big toy or gadget we think will fulfill us, we aren’t drinking from the Well. Only He can fill us the way that we truly desire. And what is it that we truly desire? To fill that God-shaped hole-that void that only He can.

I was in the Word again tonight, reading Psalm 16 and what spoke to me immediately was in your presence there is fullness of joy. In His presence, there is joy. There’s not a little, there is fullness. He will fill us up to the brim with joy! What an incredible blessing! In His presence, we can be content because He is all we need. When we continually set the Lord before us, and we walk in His presence through every circumstance, we can have that joy. It’s ours and it’s His gift to us. Not only that, but we can know that He is right there with us in every situation and we need not be moved. In fact, Psalm 16 says we shall rest and confidently dwell in safety. We can breathe, and rest assured that He’s got us-no matter what life tosses us. We can be still and know that He is God. And when we remain in His presence, there is joy and contentment waiting there for us. We just need to grab hold of Him and hang onto Him through it all because He will never leave or forsake us.

What else can we do? Luke 12:15 says to watch out and be on guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in abundance of possessions. Truly living life is being in the present, in His presence, wherever we are because our abundance will only be found in Him. It’s not found in possessions. Possessions are of this world and His followers are not.

So this Christmas season, let’s remain in His presence, remembering that He is our present. He is the only One that can fill us with the contentedness we wholeheartedly yearn for. And no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in, we will not be shaken if we have Him by our side. For He is our peace, hope, and joy all wrapped into one big package. He is the ultimate gift.

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God].-1 Timothy 6:6 (AMP)