Claiming Philippians 4:13

“11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

Philippians 4:13 is a verse that we hear a lot in the christian world. For some of us it might even  be one of our battle verses. However, I feel that we have a tendency to overlook the importance of the verses that Paul laid out before this verse in order for claim Philippians 4:13 over his life. If we take a look at verse 11 Paul states… “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” and in verse 12 he says… “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” How many of us can truly say that? If we take a close look at Paul’s life we will see his life was far from smooth sailing. In fact, Paul wrote this letter to the church of Philippi from prison. If you recall from my post “Joseph’s Journey” you will remember the wretched conditions that Joseph faced while in prison and Paul more than likely experienced those very same conditions. He was by no means in any way shape or form comfortable by any earthly standards. Yet even in the midst of some of the most grotesque conditions Paul was able to say that he was content. How is this even remotely possible? The answer to this lies in the fact that contentment is not something we just acquired out of thin air. Paul stated  twice that he had to learn to be content. I can only figure that since he went through the trouble of repeating himself that there is some great importance to this learning process. Paul had to work hard and continually at being content. There was no automatic button for him to push. It took seeking the face of God in some of the most difficult situations.

Paul’s life

I want to expand this further and take a broader look at the hardships that Paul faced in his lifetime so we can get a better understanding of just how hard Paul had to work at fostering a spirit of contentment in any and every situation that came along his path. Let’s list out some of the challenges Paul experienced. This is not an exhaustive list, but is just to give you a small taste of the things he faced in his lifetime.

• Continually battled with the “thorn” in his side - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
• Shipwrecked three times - 2 Corinthians 11:25
• he was stoned - 2 Corinthians 11:25

• Scrutinized and ostracized by Christians - Acts 13:50
• Received countless death threats - Acts 9:23, Acts 9:29
• Imprisoned for two years without a trial - see entire account Acts 23:33 - 26:32
• Attacked by a mob - Acts 21:27-30

• Beaten three times with rods - Acts 16:22-23, 2 Corinthians 11:25
• Whipped five times with 39 lashes each - 2 Corinthians 11:24
• Stoned and left for dead - Acts 14:19

Paul learned in the face of these things to be content! If Paul could be content while being whipped 39 times then certainly I should be able to find contentment when problems in my life arise, like when my car breaks down. Just thinking about that comparison humbles my heart greatly! The troubles that I face pale in comparison to the horrifying circumstances Paul had to face. But certainly if Paul had to learn contentment then so must I.  

Claiming this verse

Paul laid out for us the what is required in order to claim Philippians 4:13 over our lives and over our situations. If we want to be able to claim “I can do everything through him who gives me strength,” then we must first be content! From the example of Paul we can see just how much effort we must put forth in order to accomplish this. It will not be easy. It will not be fun at times. It is going to require us to take our eyes off our circumstances and put our eyes on our heavenly father. It requires us to remember that the character of God does not change because our circumstances have changed. Paul learned how to keep his eyes on Christ despite the circumstances. We can all take a lesson from the Apostle Paul in this area of contentment.

Thank you Lord for giving us the example of Paul’s life when it comes to teaching us what we must go through in order to master this area of contentment. We desire to be able to claim that we can do all things through you who gives us strength and in order to do that we must first learn how to be content in ALL circumstances. Help us to work daily on keeping our eyes focused on you and not on our circumstances. None of us have faced the long list of sufferings that Paul  faced, but in the midst of our trials they still seem so large. Help us to remember your character does not change in the midst of our difficult times. You are the same yesterday, today and forever and for that we are eternally grateful.