Content Always

Inward contentment in every situation is entirely possible.

“I have learned in every situation to be content (self-satisfied)” - Philippians 4:11

A 1969 Plymouth Road Runner

Today is my father’s birthday.

He died on May 5, 2024, and would have turned 84 today, July 19, 2024.

My father was the epitome of internal contentment.

He went from pastoring the largest, fastest-growing churches in the nation and being recognized nationwide to entering a church where very few people even knew his name.

My dad was as happy being an unknown preacher as he was being a famous preacher. He used to have a saying about people who depend on circumstances to be happy:

“Happiness happens when happenstances happen to be happy.”

To illustrate fluctuating happiness, I’ll share what first seems to be a heart-warming story about a father and daughter.

A father told his daughter, "Congrats on your graduation. I bought you a car a while back. I want you to have it now. Before I give it to you, take it to a car dealer in the city and sell it. See how much they offer.”

The girl came back to her father and said, "They offered me 10,000 dollars because it looks very old"

Father said: "Ok, now take it to the pawn shop".

The girl returned to her father and said, "The pawn shop offered 1,000 dollars because it's a very old car and a lot of work done.”

The father told her to go to a passionate car club with experts and show them the car, asking how much it was worth.

The girl drove to the passionate car club. After a few hours, she returned to her father and told him, “Some people in the club offered me $100,000 dollars because it’s a rare car that's in good condition.”

Then, the father told his daughter, “You’re not worth anything if you’re not in the right place. If you are not appreciated, don’t be angry. It means you’re in the wrong place. Find that place where your value is appreciated.”

Do you see the danger?

Obtaining your value from what others think, say, or give to you requires changing your circumstances to find happiness. This dependence on others for internal satisfaction leads you to look for “greener pastures.”

But when we can be satisfied and content with what God says about us because of what He has done for us by His grace through His Son, Jesus Christ, we can learn the secret of being content regardless of our circumstances.

Thanks, Dad, for illustrating the beauty of inner contentment.

Happy Birthday.