Complaining Or Content?

Complaining or Content?

They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.

Acts 16:23-25

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13

Some people focus on their misery. They can recount in full detail to anyone who’ll listen every ache, pain, and inconvenience. In fact, if nothing is going wrong, they can barely find anything to talk about.

Paul and Silas had every reason to complain. They had been wrongly accused and beaten with rods until their bodies throbbed with pain. They were locked up in the darkest, gloomiest section of the prison, under the constant supervision of a hardened jailer. They had everything they needed for a great big pity party! Paul could have complained, “God, I have served you for years, and I have been persecuted and beaten almost to death. I have this thorn in the flesh that won’t go away. And the reward I get for these years of devoted work for you is finding myself under the threat of execution in a Roman prison, chained to soldiers? Where are the blessings you promised me?”

But Paul and Silas didn’t focus on the misery of their situation. They focused on the sufficiency of God to help them endure their difficult circumstances. Even in the face of hunger and discomfort and cold and maybe sores that needed medication, Paul could say, “I can endure this. I won’t be bitter or angry with God. I won’t walk away from God. I can honor God and enjoy God even in this.” Instead of complaining, Paul was content in God and confident that God would give him the strength he needed to endure faithfully.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What do you think it would have been like to be imprisoned in Paul’s day?

What does it look like to be content even in difficult situations?

What is something you need to endure without complaining, as God gives you strength?