They might say, “I am so content right now,” but they mean, “I am so happy right now.”
Happiness comes from circumstances. If they were not enjoying these experiences, they would
not be happy.

Contentment, however, is independent of circumstances. Think of Paul singing hymns in
prison. He was content, not because of his experiences, but despite them. We must learn to be
content when:

• Instead of being on a beach, we are in a hot, stuffy car stuck in traffic.

• Instead of getting the promotion, we lost our job.

• Instead of having a child, we experienced a miscarriage.

• Instead of being blessed by a friend, we were betrayed.

• Instead of receiving encouraging test results, they were terrifying.

• Instead of purchasing what we always wanted, we lost our home in a fire.

In these situations, we would not say, “Oh, I am so happy right now,” but we do not have to
because the Bible does not command us to be happy. Ecclesiastes 3:14 says there is “a time to
weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Nevertheless, whether we are
happy or sad—as Paul wrote in Philippians 4:12, whether we are “brought low [or
abounding]”—we are content.