Discontent shows up in the strangest ways. The fashion industry plays on people’s perpetual dissatisfaction with their looks, for instance. If you hair is thin you get it bolstered with a rug or, if you’re a woman with extensions. If it’s too straight you get it curled and vice versa. Plastic surgeons are happy to straighten your nose, plump up your lips, and suck away your spare tire. Dress fashions go in cycles so that what made you happy this year will make you unhappy next year. We seldom find ourselves content with our lot.

Appearance is one thing with which we’re often discontent, but that’s not all by any means. We’re also unhappy with our careers, our finances, our families, and our future. Now look at how Paul handled his career as a respected Hebrew official after he came to know Christ: “If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:4-7). He was content with his position in Judaism, but willing to give it all up for the Lord. All that authority, power, and position did not give him the contentment he found in Christ—even though being in Christ brought many problems upon him.

As he followed his new course he was bitterly opposed by old guard Judaizers who, even when converted to the faith, felt compelled to carry many of their judaizing ways with them. They and Paul had many a falling out and they tried to undermine his apostleship as a way of getting back at him.

Yet Paul could say, as he battled with his opponents, “I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake” (2 Corinthians 12:10). He trained himself to cope with his new situation and says, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 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. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

There you have it! There’s the secret! “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Though dedication to Christ brings with it the possibility of problems, and even persecution, it also brings with it the promise that the Lord is always there to strengthen us. We have to copy Paul’s determination to serve the Lord, no matter what that might entail. The writer of Hebrews gives this instruction to Christians: “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’ (Hebrews 13:5, 6).

Finally, consider Paul’s statement: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20). Crucified with Christ—think of the implications! Paul spells out and we reiterate: “It is no longer I who live!” These words are sometimes sung as a chorus at a speed which renders the profound words almost meaningless—so slow down and think about it! “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” We live by faith in Him, and He strengthens us for the life we live. Learn to be content!