“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Php 4:11-12 AV)
Although I am not one to praise the original languages over the English, knowing the tense of some verbs above helps in the application. In the English, we would read the word ‘learned’ as a past tense and completed action. Paul learned contentment and is not content. However, the tense is active. This means it began in the past and is continuing in the present. The English supports this in the use of the phrase ‘am instructed’. This phrase is an ongoing action. The original languages and the English support this idea. Which brings me to our consideration. This is an amazing passage of scripture. What Paul has learned and is continuing to learn is contentment, separate and apart from his circumstances. Whether he abounds or suffers need, he is learned to control his emotions. He is not circumstantially driving. Paul understands life has ebbs and flows. There are times of plenty. There are times of dearth. There are times when we can share our abundance. There are times we are seeking assistance. The character development here is consistent and permanent contentment. Paul makes no distinction here. He has and is learning that times of want and times of surplus are no different. He is and has learned to be content.
This whole idea of contentment is deeper than mere resolution or surrender. Receiving a life altering diagnosis has a way of teaching things that you would never otherwise learn. In our journey with cancer, we are learning this whole contentment thing. There are good days and there are bad days. There are days we forget cancer is a part of our lives. There are other days when one cannot get away from it. This month is filled with tests and appointments. Our health care team is trying to fit in all the tests and appointments they can before the end of the year. This means for the month of December; we cannot get away from the abasement this disease brings. This is a work in progress. My wife and I are trying to learn the whole idea of contentment. Her cancer has a wonderful internet support presence. One of the sites we visit frequently is NETRF. That stands for neuroendocrine tumor research foundation. NETRF is a great resource for treatment ideas, maintenance suggestions, counseling, and support. Every Thursday, they have a segment called Thrivership Thursday. The host offers tips and ideas to ease the stress brought on by our fight with this cancer. Most of her ideas are rather good ones. My wife has taken from her counsel to compartmentalize her cancer. There are cancer days and there are non-cancer days. Days of appointments and tests are cancer days. She thinks about her cancer. There are days her symptoms flair up. Those are cancer days. Interspersed are days of not test, appointments, and subsiding symptoms. Those are non-cancer days. The suggestion that stuck with me was a balanced approach to circumstances. If I worry or complain, I must follow up with a positive. It is unfortunate my wife is ill and in unabating pain. Fortunately, we have insurance and a great care team who takes initiative. “Unfortunately/fortunately” is the exercise. These and other tips like them are nothing more than teaching us contentment. This is different than surrendering or resolving to live with something. That is neutral or negative. To be content means to function.
Paul’s statement is more than a mere challenge. It is a lifetime commitment. It is a challenge that has no end date. Just about the time we learn to be content in unfortunate circumstances, along comes something more trying. Just when we think we have a handle on things, life throws us a curve. By the way, in times of prosperity, discontentment can be an equally tough challenge. What do we do with the surplus? It’s like finding a hundred-dollar bill on the sidewalk. What do we do with it? When we go to the stores, suddenly we realize $100 isn’t as much as we thought it was. We become discontent because we see things we want that are double the price. We feel saddened that we found only $100. Contentment means we not only accept events as sent from God, but we see purpose and plan in them. We trust the LORD implicitly. We realize regardless of the situation, there are things that God has given for us to do. We still have a life to live. There is still meaning and purpose. To be content is an ongoing classroom. The lessons never cease. But learn it, we must.
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