Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
— Philippians 4:11–13
One of the biggest secrets to developing resilience in your life is having an attitude of contentment and gratitude.
Contentment is when how you’re doing is based on something other than how things are going.
The Apostle Paul clearly had some amazing revelations. God gave him things that he didn’t even ask for. But not contentment. Contentment has to be learned. And to make matters worse, some of it we can only learn in times of scarcity and struggle. Most of the work must be done in life’s lean seasons. Good times are critical because they will teach you that nothing in this world can satisfy you, but rough times are necessary because you will never know that God is all you need until God is all you have.
When facing difficult times, losing hope and getting discouraged is easy. But we can take inspiration from Paul’s example and trust that God is in control and has a plan for our lives. With this trust and understanding, we can have peace in any situation, knowing God is working for our good. Trusting that where you are is where you are supposed to be goes a long way in learning to be content.
Resilience comes from trusting in God’s sovereignty and knowing He will provide for us in every situation. It’s important to remind ourselves that God will never abandon us and He has a plan for our lives, even when we can’t see it.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank you for the reminder in Philippians 4:12 that it is possible to maintain a spirit of contentment and resilience in every situation. Help us to trust in your sovereignty and to know that you have a plan for our lives. Give us the peace that comes from trusting in you and the resilience not to give up, lose heart, grow weary, or lose faith. In Jesus’s name, amen.