The Secret to Contentment, Even A-Type People

If you have an A-type personality this may be one of the hardest lessons for you to learn. If you are not an A-type person but are married to one this may be one of those lessons that love will help the most. The Apostle Paul sees it all through having Christ as your center and source of strength and guidance.

"I know what it is to be in need, and know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

Think about this: If Paul was not a prototypical A-type personality I am not sure who is. He was not just an Israelite, he was of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. He didn't just seek to keep the law, he became a Pharisee. He was zealous to the point of attacking those who were not in agreement, the church. He was considered to be legalistically faultless! Then, after giving his life to Christ, he didn't just start one church. He sought to start churches in every part of the world he could get to. Contentment is not easy for someone like that.

Trying to tell an A-type person to do the whole zen, Jedi sit with your legs crossed and closed your eyes while you wait thing is like trying to tell a chicken not to lay an egg! Yet, the Apostle Paul learned to be content in any and every situation. I guess several days in a jail cell and nights shipwrecked will teach you that only God is Sovereign. That is why Paul said he "learned" to be content. 

We don't just become content, we learn to become content. Learning is not always easy, especially when it involves unlearning or reprogramming our mindsets or habits of thinking and acting. Trials, teach us to wait on God. God often allows us to be put in situations where we can not control anything and try as best as we can, we can't improve the situation. That is when God wants us to realize that he is Sovereign. In plenty or in want, God will take you through. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

Father, thank you that you have unfailing love for us and that you are Sovereign over all things. Whether we are in a time of plenty or a time of need, we call on you to give us strength in Christ Jesus. Thank you for hearing our prayers! Praise be to you in us today!