Philippians 4:12
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.(NIV)
I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. (MSG)
Word Study
Content – feeling that one’s needs or desires have been met
Synonyms of content
contented, gratified, happy, pleased, satisfied, blissful, delighted, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, rejoicing, tickled, ecstatic, elated, enraptured, euphoric, overjoyed, rapturous, thrilled, appeased, mollified, pacified, placated
Thoughts…
Are you content? Have you ever felt contentment? There is this wonderful blanket of peace that wraps around you when you feel content. Did you know true contentment is a choice? Paul says he learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. The secret is choosing to be content.
Notice Paul did not say it was easy. He didn’t say he was happy, pleased, satisfied, blissful, delighted, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, rejoicing, tickled, ecstatic, elated, enraptured, euphoric, overjoyed, rapturous, thrilled, appeased, mollified, pacified, or placated. Yes, those are synonyms, but synonyms are not definitions.
Paul chose the word ικανοποιημένος for content. It is also the word for complacent. So, in reality, he is saying I am OK. We often say I am surviving. I am neither happy nor sad. I am just here.
This word content to me means, “I am a survivor!” It doesn’t matter what this world throws at me. I have learned to survive!
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