Slow Down By Learning Contentment
By Rick Warren
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11 NIV).
If you’re serious about slowing down, you don’t start with your schedule. You start with your heart.
Paul says in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (NIV). Notice the word “learned.” You are not by nature a contented person. Neither am I! I’m a discontented person. It is my nature to want things to be different, to want them to be better. It is not my nature to be contented, and neither is yours. But if you’re going to slow down your life, you have to learn contentment. It’s learned over time.
How do you do that? Paul also says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
He’s saying life isn’t about things. I didn’t have anything before I was born. I’m not going to have anything after I die. Yes, I need things, but they’re not what life is about, so I’ll just be content with what I’ve got.
Let me explain what contentment is not. Contentment is not abandoning your ambition. You ought to have ambition. You ought to make the most of what God has given you. God says it’s good to have godly ambition. Contentment doesn’t mean you don’t have any goals, dreams, or plans for your life.
Contentment means this: You don’t need more in order to be happy. You’re happy right now with what you’ve been given.
Happiness is a choice. You are as happy as you choose to be! You can’t blame unhappiness on your circumstances. If you’re not happy with your circumstances, you’re not going to be happy with different ones. There will always be something wrong. We live on a broken planet, and nothing is perfect.
God wants you to learn to be happy in spite of difficult situations by trusting that he will give you exactly what you need when you need it. Since learning contentment is a process, what is one step you can take today to practice gratitude?
Playtoday’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
- How will learning contentment help you slow down your life?
- What does it mean to have godly ambition?
- Since learning contentment is a process, what is one step you can take today to practice gratitude?
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
It doesn't matter how much you work out or how healthy you may eat, if you're not feeding and exercising your spirit… you're going to feel run down and tired – you’ll run out of gas. You’ve got to do more than just take care of your body. You’ve got to energize your spirit! And the best way to do that is with God’s Word! That’s why we’ve put together this new interactive guide called Re-Energize Your Life!
In this first-of-its-kind guide, created from Pastor Rick’s most practical teaching, you will learn everything you need to know to re-energize your life the way God intended. Step by step, you will begin a journey of restoration and renewal. It’s a hands-on guide you take at your own pace. No need to rush! In fact, we encourage you to stop and linger where you want to spend more time. You’ll benefit from biblical wisdom and learn how to apply it to your life in practical ways.
This high quality “vegan-leather” bound, four-color interactive guide is a user-friendly, practical powerhouse! It’s eye-pleasing pages are packed with full-color devotionals, verses, and bible teachings that will dramatically impact your spiritual life forever.
We’ll send you the “Re-Energize Your Life - A Life Change Book” when you give a gift to support Daily Hope.
This is a limited time offer; request your copy today. Your generous support enables us to share the hope of Christ with people all around the world.
This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can also listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
