Being Content Internally

There is no time in history that can match the nature of the sufferings the whole world is going through right now.

How many truly contented people do you know amid this Coronavirus health crisis?

I suspect the number is very few, maybe even zero in most places where people live or they call home.

Primarily, it has to do with the severity and extent of the pain and need they feel in the midst of outer troubles, illnesses, and deaths happening around.

I knew a Christian man who lost his wife to cancer as well as his means of employment to support their three young children. Both at the same time.

The man pulled his chair close to his kids one day. They held hands and prayed together to God. No further words needed to be spoken.

The love and trust freely flowed from him to his kids through the looks in his eyes and the touch of his fingertips.

This man’s contentment and calm had nothing whatsoever to do with material things or external circumstances.

His contentment lies not in having. But in his deep faith and in knowing - of knowing that he is being strengthened, loved, and valued by God in spite of the external sufferings he’s in.

As Dr. Charles Stanley put it,

“True contentment is not rooted in environment or in any aspect of the natural and spiritual world. Ultimate contentment is rooted in relationship with Jesus Christ and in Him alone.”

In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul was able to say ...

“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:11-13)

Yes, even in the midst of the outer troubles of the Coronavirus, we can learn to be content internally by faith in Him.