A devotional by Hannah Benson
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”—Philippians 4:11 (ESV)
These words were penned by the Apostle Paul as a letter to the other apostles in Philippi, during his imprisonment for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Physically, Paul was likely very much in need, yet he wrote, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
It might be hard to imagine anyone content in prison. But Paul, by the grace of God, found reason to rejoice! Such as when, during a different imprisonment as chronicled in the book of Acts, Paul and his friend Silas shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the jailer. How many of us would think of singing hymns and sharing the Gospel while in jail like they did during that time?
Maybe you are not in a physical prison, but is there an area of your life where you might find yourself experiencing discontentment. Maybe you compare your financial status to your co-worker or your relationship status to those younger than you.
I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve found myself wrestling with discontentment. But discontentment only steals my joy. When I’m so focused on what I don’t have rather than what I do, I’m not grateful for the gifts that God has given me.
If you read my devotionals that I wrote last year, you may remember that my Mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer earlier in 2023. Even during such a frightening time, we had so much to be grateful for: the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, brothers and sisters in Christ who rallied around us, the right doctors whom God provided to perform various surgeries at the right time. Yes, all of us—including our Mom—were thankful for the painful ovarian cyst even though it had left her immobile for months. Why?
Because it preceded the discovery of cancer. Without the pain it caused, we wouldn’t have known she had cancer until it was too late. After walking through cancer as a family, I truly believe there is there nothing we could go through where we cannot find God (Psalm 139:8). Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
That alone is reason enough to rejoice and be grateful!
If Paul could be content within the walls of a prison and have a heart filled with gratitude knowing nothing can separate him from the love of Christ, then perhaps we too can learn to be content no matter what we’re facing.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father God, I know that the boundary lines for me have fallen in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6). Please help me to be content and trust You. Please help me keep counting my blessings and finding reason to be thankful no matter what circumstances I may find myself in. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Counting My Blessings” by Seph Schleuter. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Hannah Benson is a Jesus-follower who’s passionate about sharing the love of Christ with others.
From the time she could hold a pen, she was writing. But it wasn’t until she was sixteen that she began to follow God’s calling to pursue writing seriously. Hannah is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). In addition to fiction, she also writes devotionals and has been published on other websites. Her prayer is that her readers leave deeply encouraged and more in love with Jesus.
When not writing, Hannah also enjoys being involved with local theater companies, with a primary focus on Biblical theater. She wants to show the love of Jesus through the creative arts.
You can read more of Hannah’s writings on her blog or on her Instagram where she strives to write content that leaves others feeling encouraged.
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Connect with Hannah:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Hannah-Lynn-Writer/100073790792576/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahlbensonwrites/
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