Scripture Focus: Philippians 1-2
"I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." - Philippians 4:11, ESV
Have you ever stopped to picture where the apostle Paul was when he made this statement? As you may be aware, he was in a Roman prison awaiting trial. Think about the extreme difficulty he was experiencing when he penned these familiar words.
Although Paul was a godly man, his ability to walk in contentment was not due to some superior saintliness or mystical endowment. He "learned" contentment, just as we must do. He cultivated a contented heart by viewing his circumstances through the lens of God's sovereignty.
Paul's circumstances were hardly comfortable or something he would have chosen! Unless you have a friend or family member in prison, you may not have thought about all the liberties that are forfeited in prison. The isolation of prison is not limited to separation from family and friends but includes the loss of common enjoyments in daily life. Freedom of choice is a distant memory: meals, schedule, room temperature, wall color, clothing preference, environment, activities-these are all chosen for you.
Many inmates have hearts hardened through bitterness and resentment, spending days in anger over their circumstances. There are, however, some beautiful women who, although behind bars, radiate a joy and freedom seldom seen in women living on the outside.
How do you explain such a stark contrast between inmates within the same prison? Miserable, dark, angry countenances of those who are filled with sullen resentment reveal the fact that these women are discontented with their situation. Who can blame them? Who could be content in prison? Only those who have found their true freedom in Christ and who live, walk, and breathe gratitude, knowing that God can cause "all things to work together for good" (Romans 8:28, NASB).
After spending the first portion of his letter in thankfulness and prayer for his fellow believers, Paul expressed his God-centered perspective on his imprisonment: "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear" (Philippians 1:12-14, ESV).
Do you hear Paul's perspective? He was looking beyond the pain, past the difficulty of imprisonment; his view was formed from trust in an almighty, sovereign God. Paul knew that God could use his sufferings to accomplish a greater work.
Take Time to Reflect
Are you a contented woman? If not, why not? Do you see a correlation between your contentment level and your trust of God? Read Philippians 1-2, taking note of Paul's many references to humility, joy, and personal conduct. What do you need to apply to your life from today's study?
True Woman Wyoming Prayer Focus
Pray for each woman who is involved in putting the True Woman Wyoming conference together (from planning, to clean up and everywhere in between). Pray for unity and fellowship that bring God the glory. Pray that each woman would find their contentment in Christ alone.
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