Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13,
I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NASB)
Unfortunately, the secret of contentment is a secret few Christians know. It is evident because of the way V13 is quoted. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” is consistently quoted to get what we want. “I can do all things” to most believers means, “I will get what I want”, “I will be free from my discomfort”, “I am getting it all together”. (Notice all statements begin with “I”.) But Paul was saying almost the opposite. “Being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need” was all the same to him.
To Paul there is a secret understanding of living that goes beyond things and personal comfort. There is an insight that detaches him from that which the world hinges their “happiness”. At times, Paul had more than he wanted, other times he had nothing at all. He handled this without disturbing the understanding of who he was and why he was on the earth. From having too much stuff, to not having clothing to stay warm or food to eat. None of that was a problem for him. The Philippians sent him money, that was good. But his life was beyond the material or physical comfort.
This is the great secret of the endurance of the Christian life. Death, persecution, being misunderstood, being maligned, are reactions from the outside of the powerful Life of the Kingdom that is within us. Jesus said to His disciples in John 4, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Jesus was sustained by the Spirit.
Are we content in our lives to know God is as close to us in the dark as He is in the Glorious Light?
Blessings.