Content Whatever the Circumstances

4:11 "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."

Some people think that contentment only comes when you close your eyes to reality. This is very wrong. Christian contentment comes when your eyes are opened to a greater reality. The key is seeing the true picture.

One day when the great prophet Elisha was in the city of Dothan the king of Syria sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city in order to capture him. When Elisha’s attendant got up early in the morning and went outside, he saw the Syrian army encircling the city. The servant ran to Elisha, “Alas, my master! What are we going to do?” Elisha answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of angelic horses and chariots of fire all around. (2Kings 6:14-17)

Elisha had eyes to see more than the problem that was staring him in the face. He could see the resources of the sovereign God as well. They were surrounded by the enemy army, but Elisha could see that the surrounding enemy was itself surrounded by the army of God.

Elisha’s servant was fretting because he could only see the problem. Elisha was at peace because he could also see the power of God. This is the key to contentment.

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know... what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, in accordance with the working of the strength of His might." (Eph.1:18-19)

When, through eyes of faith, we see the mighty army of God surrounding our circumstances, when we see that ‘those who are with us are more than those who are with them,’ we can rest in His trustworthy hands. This is true Biblical contentment.

My faithful Father, forgive me that I so easily forget Your ever-present power and love. I keep falling into fretting and discouragement, and for no good reason. Help me not be blinded by my troubles, Lord. Give me eyes to see that You are big and, in comparison, my troubles are very small. Help my vision to be dominated not by Goliaths but by Your bright army of hope.