Discontentment may be the greatest trap in our culture. It may even be greater than lust, greed, or lying, because discontentment so often gives birth to these sins. It is a well spring of iniquity. I have yet to meet someone who committed adultery without first entertaining discontentment. I have yet to speak with a drunkard, a gossip, a liar, or someone enslaved to idols of comfort or recreation who did not point back to discontentment as the doorway to their sin. And it feels as though the entire world urges us toward discontentment. Every billboard, commercial, and advertisement whispers, “You deserve more, you need more.”

Contentment is slippery. The moment we believe we have grasped it, it slips from our hands. A passing comment, a commercial, or a stray thought can stir dissatisfaction in our hearts. So we ask, Is true contentment possible?

The Secret of Contentment

Paul tells us it is possible. He learned to be content in every circumstance (Philippians 4:11). And he reveals the secret, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Paul is not claiming unlimited power. He cannot fly, overthrow Rome, or create rainbows. That verse is often misused. Instead, Paul is saying that through Christ’s strength he can be content in every situation. This is the secret. Contentment is not denial of circumstances, nor stoic resignation, it is living faithfully in circumstances through Christ.

This echoes his earlier declaration, “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). That truth equips him for contentment, because in Christ he possesses all things. The Christian finds Christ to be entirely sufficient. We are the richest, most secure people in the universe. Storms may beat against our lives, yet contentment remains secure because it is anchored in Him who is our All in all.

Christian contentment is not independence, it is Christ dependence. We are not self fulfilled, we are Christ fulfilled.

Christ, Our Sufficiency in Every Desire

Whatever our hearts long for is ultimately found in Christ.

• Rest, Christ gives rest (Matthew 11:28–30; Romans 8:2).
• Security and honor, Christ is our Rock and Refuge (Psalm 62:6–8).
• Friendship, He never forsakes His own (Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20).
• Justice, He is the righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:8).
• Comfort, He intercedes for His people (Hebrews 7:25).
• Wisdom, in Him are hidden all treasures of wisdom (Colossians 2:3; Hebrews 3:3).
• Provision, He supplies our needs (Philippians 4:19).
• Salvation and defense, He saves, guards, and keeps (Hebrews 10:12; Psalm 23).

If we desire love, we see it in His outstretched arms on the cross (Romans 8, Ephesians 3). If we want hope, we look to His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:19). If we seek peace, His blood secures it (Colossians 1:20). If we yearn for joy, His Spirit gives it (Galatians 5). If we want lasting happiness, we remember the glory that awaits us (Revelation 21). If we think of power, He will seat us to reign with Him (Revelation 3:20–21).

• Hungry, He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
• Thirsty, He is the Living Water (John 7:37).
• Naked, He clothes us with His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Broken, He heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3).
• Needing wisdom and knowledge, He is their fount and fullness (Colossians 2:3).
• Weary, He calls us to Himself for rest (Matthew 11:28–30).
• Needing compassion and comfort, He is gentle and lowly, He will not break a bruised reed (James 5:11; Isaiah 42:3).
• Poor, we are made co heirs with Christ (Galatians 3:29).

Contentment Through Christ, Not Circumstances

We can be content because our circumstances do not rule us, Christ does. Christian contentment is not independence, it is dependence. Paul is not pretending hardship does not touch him. Rather, in hardship he trusts God and clings to Christ, in whom he has every spiritual blessing. He is not self sufficient. He is Christ sufficient.

True contentment is not being self fulfilled. It is being Christ fulfilled. And because of Christ, contentment is not only possible, it is promised to those who live in Him.