A seasoned, mature, Paul said, “For I have learned how to be content in whatever state I am.” He was spiritually resting in God given, unconditional peace; that no one or any circumstance could take from him.  This same peace, Jesus offers His followers in John 14:27,  ” I leave you my peace, I give you my peace, I do not give it to you as the world gives it.”  The world offers pacifiers, reassurances, merchants of happiness that can calm the troubles of our days and nights for a while; it does not offer “the peace which never passes,” for this peace can only come and grow from God’s spirit that lives within us. Nowhere else will it be found, and no one can sell or rent it to us. This peace that Jesus offers us is a seed.  After it has taken root in the good soil of our heart, it still must grow. This takes time and a united agreement between God’s Spirit and ours; we are not yet in constant peace, for this peace is a process of becoming, a work that we allow God to accomplish within us.

“For I have learned how to be content [satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted] in whatever state I am. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation. I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]” (Philippians 4:11b, 12b, 13).