19-Learning Contentment

Transcript:

Welcome to the Preparing for Childbirth podcast where we'll talk about God's amazing design for childbirth, learn how to prepare for the unknown, handle the pain and lean into God's character through it all! I'm your host, Jenny Childs. I’m a follower of Jesus, wife, mom, and lover of all things childbirth. Thanks so much for joining me today!

This is episode 19.

Today, I’d like to pause for a minute and focus in on our hearts. If you’ve listened to my other podcasts, you know when I talk about the heart I’m not talking about the organ pumping inside your body. I’m actually referring to the non-physical part of you – the part that the bible refers to with words like heart, soul, mind, & spirit. As human beings we need to care for both the physical and non-physical parts of us.

So today, we’re going to take a look at a passage of scripture from Philippians 4. Verses 10-13. And we’re going to focus in on contentment. I think this is a topic that’s relevant to whatever season you find yourself in – pregnant, post-partum, not pregnant yet, young kiddos, older kids (like me), no kids or even empty nesters.

So this passage comes towards the end of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. He’s wrapping up the letter and commending them for their renewed concern for him but also letting them know that he’s okay whether they are able to help him or not. Let’s read the passage together: Phil 4:10-13 Paul is the author & he says…

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

One thing that pops out at me, because Paul says it twice is “I have learned…” He says, “I have learned… to be content.” “I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger.” That seems to indicate that this contentment is not something that came naturally to Paul. Sounds like he had to work at it – to learn it. We’ll talk about this some more in a minute.

Let’s also notice when Paul talks about being content…he says, “in whatever situation…in any and every circumstance.” Then to drive the point home, he gives us some extremes. He talks about being brought low and abounding. He talks about facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Let’s see… for you, new mama, those extremes could be something like, “when I can’t move a muscle because if I do I’ll puke again, or when I have plenty of energy and get everything accomplished on my to do list. How about, sleep deprived or baby’s finally old enough to sleep through the night. Here’s another one…when I can’t afford to feed another mouth or when money is not an issue. I could go on… the point is, Paul is saying that he has learned to be content when his circumstances seem good and when his circumstances seem bad. I don’t know about you but I’ve definitely had this wrong in my head sometimes… I want my circumstances to be good so that I can be content. I think – or at least I act like – I have a right to be discontent if things aren’t going well.

Ok, let me back up for a minute and talk about what I mean by contentment. I got this definition from Melissa Kruger in a Revive Our Hearts podcast episode recently. It was actually a three part series and I would encourage you to listen to it if you want to go a little deeper learning about contentment. I’ll put a link in the show notes.

Anyway, here’s the definition she used: “contentment is an inward assurance of God’s sovereignty and goodness that produces the fruit of joy and peace in the life of a believer, regardless of outside circumstances.” I love that! It doesn’t matter the circumstance – Paul makes that clear as well, in the verses we’re considering today. So no matter what’s going on, whether good or bad, contentment is an assurance of the character of God – His sovereignty and goodness that produces joy and peace. Now, I think it’s important for us to dig into this a little to be sure we’re understanding what contentment is or isn’t.

Remember in the definition, it said an inward assurance – that means it’s a matter of the heart – it has to do with what you believe about who God is that then produces the fruit of joy and peace in your life. You can’t just paste on a smile and claim contentment.

Contentment also doesn’t come by pretending that everything is all right. Remember, Paul included the good and the bad in the circumstances he named. Being brought low and facing hunger and need indicate difficulty. Paul doesn’t shy away from calling it what it is. And he mentions, other places in scripture, times when he was shipwrecked and sick. He doesn’t gloss it over or pretend that it’s not as bad as it is. Rather he leans into God and trusts in His sovereignty and goodness, regardless of how bad his circumstances are.

He also doesn’t suddenly start wondering what have I done wrong to deserve this… No, Paul is keenly aware that he actually deserves worse. But he consistently lives in light of the gospel – that is the good news that Jesus took the death that Paul deserved (the same that you and I deserve, too) and He gave Paul life (which He offers to us too). Remembering the gospel, God’s big love for us through Jesus, is one of the ways that we can learn contentment, like Paul did.

And just because Paul wasn’t afraid to call a bad situation a bad situation, I don’t think that means he didn’t look for help. We see just a few verses later Paul mentions another time that the Philippians knew of his needs – I’m guessing because he had expressed those needs - and sent help and Paul was pleased to receive it. We can certainly look to change a bad situation but our contentment in Christ, as a beloved child of God can’t be dependent on that bad situation changing. Like Paul, we need to learn to be content in any and every situation.

Whew, that’s asking a lot! Any and every includes times of loss. Does that mean we can’t grieve? Of course not! Even as we grieve or struggle through whatever difficulty we’re facing, we can choose to trust God’s character and find peace and rest in Him in the middle of the struggle.

Paul says at the end of this passage in Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” He’s not talking about winning football games or running races. He’s talking about being Ok, contented, resting in Christ, even when you don’t get what you want.

And remember, Paul said he learned to do this. It’s not just something for super Christians that comes to you all at once. No, As you get to know God better through the reading of his Word… as you learn to remember truth and apply it to your life, as you see God’s faithfulness – both in the words of Scripture and played out in your life, you learn to trust Him, and turn to Him as your source of strength and peace and contentment.

One of the big contentment stealers is comparing ourselves to each other… “Oh, I wish I was like her…” “I wish I had an easy pregnancy like her” “Oh, I love that baby gadget - I wish I had one like it.” “If my baby was as good a sleeper as her baby, maybe I could prioritize time in God’s word.” Don’t fall into this trap, ladies! See God in the middle of your story, right there with you in any and every circumstance – whether you fight nausea every day of your pregnancy or you feel great throughout, whether you have an easy labor or a difficult labor – whether breastfeeding is a struggle or comes easy. Trust Him. He is sovereign, wise and good. And He will give you the strength to be content in whatever lot He gives you.

I’ve really only scratched the surface on all that could be said about this topic. I encourage you to check out the Revive our hearts podcasts with Melissa Kruger that I mentioned earlier to help you go a little deeper.

Mama, taking time to care for your heart as you prepare for Childbirth or wade through the young mothering years, is so important. I pray that you will prioritize this important task and that you will find much contentment, regardless of your circumstances, as your relationship with our beautiful Savior grows.

If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast or found it helpful, I hope you’ll share it with a friend, and I’d love for you to leave a rating and review.