Are You Content?
Jeremiah Burroughs defined contentment in one of the great classics of 17th century Puritan literature, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, as the following: “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”
One of the greatest struggles of a wounded pastor is to find contentment. The anxiety, the fear, reliving the past, the economic struggle to simply make ends meet, the constant watch over the shoulder for the next attack keeps us mired in past events and robs us of joy and, yes, contentment.
Paul, who undoubtedly knew difficulties and trials, spoke of this in his letter to the Philippian church.
Take a look at four statements that Paul made in Philippians 4:12:
“I know how to get along with humble means”
“I know how to live in prosperity”
“I have learned how to be full and how to be hungry”
“I have learned how to have an abundance and to be suffering need”
In every circumstance Paul had learned the secret.
The many varying circumstances that Paul had been through had taught him one thing: Contentment is found only in full trust and a relationship in Christ.
Nothing in life is certain. Things change. Wealth can be gone in a moment. Health can change. Your ministry can be stolen from you, leaving you a wounded pastor.
One day you can be full and overflowing and the next you can be worried about where your next meal may come from.
Yet, in all these things, you can find contentment. Joy and peace that defies comprehension can be yours.
The reason you can have all of this is because of verse 13:
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
God will supply your strength! My fellow Wounded Pastor, you do not have to find strength and contentment on your own!
No matter what circumstances surround you, you will have the strength to endure all because of Christ in you.
We must be careful to note that God will not give you strength to do something that is outside of His will, no matter how many times you quote this verse. However, as you walk through this season of woundedness, remember that strength does not come from you.
What this means is that the indwelling presence of the Lord gives you contentment and the ability to walk in a way that glorifies Him through whatever happens in this life.
Christ will give you the strength you need to face the roller coaster circumstances of this life.
When you have plenty, you can use it for God’s glory. When you have nothing, you can still say it is well with my soul because nothing can take you from the Father’s hands.
True contentment pulls from the strength of the Father to face all of life’s ups and downs.
My fellow Wounded Pastor, together we can learn to be content, not because of what we see, but because of Who is in us!
The Wounded Pastor
Dr. Matthew Tanner
