Godliness with contentment is great gain.
—1 Timothy 6:6
Reading of Paul’s brushes with death, danger, and deprivation is gut-wrenching.
Five times he was stripped and flogged with the savage 39 lashes.
Three times he was beaten with rods.
Once he was stoned.
He was in constant danger—from bandits, Jews, Gentiles, and false brethren.
He was deprived of sleep, food, and clothes (2 Cor. 11:23-28).
The only thing more astonishing than the abuses he faced is the attitude with which he faced them: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances … I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …” (Phil. 4:11-12).
That’s an attitude worth having and a secret worth knowing—and having the attitude comes from knowing the secret …
The secret is, “Christ gives me the strength to face anything” (Phil. 4:13 CEV).
With Christ you win;
without him you lose.