“ …I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”  Philippians 4:11

This is the Apostle Paul speaking who had experienced many hard and difficult circumstances.  Through them he learned to be content.  In The Amplified Bible this verse reads,
“…For I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.”

Not to be disturbed or disquieted is to be calm and peaceful.  Notice he ‘learned’ through circumstances -- through experiences.  Where some might see these experiences as a stumbling block, Paul used them as a stepping stone.  Let’s look at some of the things that this bondservant of Christ endured to bring him to this place of contentment in all circumstances.

Paul goes on in verse 12 to tell us,
“I know how to get along in humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”

In 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 he tells of the dire situation that he and his fellow worker (Apollos) are in,
“To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and we are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 
and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 
when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.”

In Paul’s defense of his apostleship, he tells of the many trials he has endured.  2 Corinthians Chapter 11:  
Starting in verse 24 he says,
“Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.
Three times I was beaten with rods, once stoned, three times shipwrecked, a night and a day I spent in the deep.
I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, danger from my countrymen, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren,
I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger
and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” 
2 Corinthians 11:24-27  (Read all of the Chapter)

These are just the external things, he says apart from these,
“…there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.” 
Vs. 28

Then he tells of  his ‘thorn in the side’  followed by the submission of his weakness to Christ as we read in Chapter 12:9,
“And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

Then in verse 10 he says,
“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake…”
The ‘therefore’ in this verse speaks to me of a heart and mind settled and at rest in Christ.

Read again:
“…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret…”  
Philippians 4:11-12

And what is the secret?
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Vs. 13

This strength is ours too in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Are you in a hard place?  Then:
“Be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

He is our strength, our comfort, our all!  With grateful hearts we praise and worship our God and Savior forever!  Amen