I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:11–13

Reflection:

Do you know how to be content in the middle of a pandemic? That may seem a tall order in these current circumstances, but the Apostle Paul makes it clear that there's a secret to contentment in any circumstance, even when we're brought as low as we are now.

The word contentment literally means “inner strength,” which is what steadies you when things outside of you fluctuate. Paul’s secret, though, is that his inner strength doesn’t come from himself, but from the strength of Christ. More than that, Christ's strength was not some internal inspiration or example for him to follow. Christ gave him actual strength to deal with plenty and with want.

What is strengthening you during these times? Normally, you may have felt like a good worker, a good parent, a good friend, and a good neighbor, but those things are all being challenged for the time being. With the ground shifted beneath our feet, many of us are discovering how out of balance we were — we no longer feel useful or patient or productive or friendly or safe, so we are discontented. There may be times we're too overwhelmed to cope with these external pressures, let alone make any attempt to find inner strength.

If this is your condition, rejoice because Christ has strength for you — strength to confess your weakness, and strength to find his righteousness enough. Christ gives you strength to look beyond the valley of your introspection to the rising sun of his sufficient grace. You can be nervous about the pandemic or disappointed in how hard it has been to be home constantly, through the one who strengthens you. If you're flourishing in your faith, rejoice because Christ has given you strength to believe. He was brought lower than we could ever imagine so we can find ourselves higher than we could ever aspire. That means he has strength for the whole range of circumstances, and that’s enough. It’s the secret to contentment in the middle of a pandemic.  

Response:

1. What has the current situation revealed about the source of your inner strength? What kinds of things are you drawing from your own reserves? What are you drawing from Christ’s strength? What idols and false sources of strength have you found in your life, if any?
   
   
2. What discontentment do you see in the world around you? Think of the way your neighbor speaks of the latest news or COVID-19 development. How can you point your neighbor to trust in Christ’s strength as you do?
   
   
3. What strength have you found in Christ that can encourage and bless others in your life right now? Consider that because Paul was content, he was always in a position to serve others. Since we are content in Christ, how can we be servants in our neighborhoods?