Be Content

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians and said, I have learned in whatsoever state I am, to be content. (Philippians 4:11). Any way you look at it, this is a powerful statement. As we read the account of Paul's life in the book of Acts, we can see that Paul was not just sermonizing when he said this; he was stating a fact, and the people of Philippi knew it.

When Paul and Silas first traveled to Philippi, Paul cast out a demon from a fortune-telling slave girl. Her masters had Paul and Silas beaten and thrown in jail because their slave girl was no longer profitable to them. The Bible says that at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (Acts 16:25 NKJV).

As I talk with people and as I observe my own attitudes, I cannot help but notice that we not only get distressed and upset about the way things are, but we worry about the things that might happen. When we start stressing out about the things that could happen tomorrow, our minds quickly turn into the devil's playground.

That's why Jesus said: Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:31-34 NKJV).

Jim Roberts
Peace Church
Indiahoma, Oklahoma
www.ok-peacechurch.org