Last week we looked at the first two of four keys for obtaining contentment in life that Paul revealed in Philippians 4:4-7. This week we are going to finish our glimpse at these keys for contentment by briefly examining the remaining two.
The third key presented by Paul is perhaps the most difficult of them all. To never, ever, get anxious or worry about anything at all. With all the burdens, troubles, and struggles of life it seems near impossible to never get bothered by it all and at least worry a little. Jesus gave a discourse regarding worry during His earthly ministry that is recorded in Matthew 6:25-34; take the time now to read what Jesus has to say about worry.
Jesus lays it out plain and simple. Why do you worry about material worldly things of this life, is His general question. At the start He points to the fact that our lives are more than these things; and at the end reveals that it is the Kingdom of God and His righteousness that needs to be the primary focus of our lives. The focus needs to be on the here and now, the current moment and how we are living in it. Is our current focus today where it needs to be, on heavenly things, on righteous things? The scriptures are clear that we need to provide for our own needs; “if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). We must not however allow the worry of acquiring those things that we need to overshadow and choke out our obligation to serve God appropriately.
The final key to obtaining this peace and contentment in life is to communicate with God. The two very similar methods directed by Paul here is prayer and supplication. Prayer here comes from a Greek word rooted in a worshipful prayer or ceremonial prayer. It is linked to the implication of an oratory, which is a small private chapel. Thus, the concept here is a regular, ordered, consistent routine of prayer in the life of an individual. Therefore, everyone seeking to have peace and contentment in life must exercise a regular practice of communicating with God concerning the affairs of their daily life.
The other is supplication. Which is generally understood as making a petition or request. The root of the Greek word used here is to beg. Thus, as the storms of life come one is to make an emotional plea to God to see them through the storm. Troubles and hardships will come, but we need to remember that they will also pass. God is the master of all things, and all things might have purposes beyond what the individual during a storm of life can perceive and understand. We must place such things into God’s hands and trust that He will see us through to the other side of the storm.
Paul also points to an attitude that is to accompany the prayers and supplications we communicate to God. This attitude is one of thanksgiving. The Greek root here is gratitude and is expressed here in this word stemming from it as grateful language. When you communicate with God, what is your tone, what is the flavor of your words. There is much that each of us, regardless of our current circumstances, might be grateful for. Everyone should approach God not only thankful for what He has done, not only for what He is doing, but also for what He might do for you. The simple act of practicing an attitude of thankfulness in and of itself can generate peace and contentment in the life of an individual.
In exploring this passage, we are brought back to verse eight, which was quoted at the end of the previous section. Read over it again. The very nature of the mind of an individual who professes to be a Christian functions different from those who are worldly minded. It is because the mind of a Christian through focused practice is molded and shaped to think on and be filled with thoughts of a nobler and more honorable nature. In addressing the warfare that the Christian is engaged in, Paul expresses in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 the struggle, nature of our armaments, and the goal. The goal as expressed in verse five, is to ‘bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.’ Everyone must strive to master their own thoughts and not allow the world to gain mastery of their mind.
Spend some time this coming week considering the things explored over the past three articles. Reflect on your current life regarding the peace and contentment that God offers. Do you have it? If not, what is preventing you from obtaining the power over life’s worries and troubles? If you are not there yet do not lose heart. Like that vast majority of the Christian walk, this too is a process of growth. The key is to keep moving forward toward the goal.
In next week’s article we are going to conclude our examination of life’s power by providing some tools to use in evaluating the current issues plaguing our individual lives.
Carl Hartman is the Minister at Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney
