Well With My Soul

How to find contentment regardless of circumstance

---

Welcome to devo+demo, a project combining scripture and song in short devotionals to help you spend focused time with God. To support this project, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber, and sharing with friends.

---

Philippians 4: 11b-13 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I 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. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

---

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

A nice verse for a wall plaque, but it rings hollow when I am at the end of my rope.

Out of context, it feels like a brush-off or empty platitude. “Chin up, kiddo, you can do it, God’s got you!”

That’s not what this passage is saying at all. In fact, it’s the opposite of a brush off: if you read all of Philippians 4, you’ll find Paul wrapping up his letter with some very practical instructions on how to have peace and contentment. It doesn’t happen by accident, but by intentional choices and repetitive practice.

CHOICE: to focus on the big picture and unity to resolve relational conflict. (v. 2-3)

CHOICE: to trust God with the things that worry us. (v. 6-7)

CHOICE: to focus on joy, truth, and God’s goodness. (v. 4, 8)

These choices lead to mental peace and protection. (v. 7, 9)

It’s after all of this that we discover Paul’s story in verses 10-19, reading between the lines: as a prisoner, he was in great need, and the Philippians provided for him. It is in this context, that we find the true depth in our wall-plaque verse.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I 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 all this through Him who gives me strength.

The “all this” is contentment regardless of circumstance.

Contentment regardless of circumstance can be practiced. (“I have learned…”)

Contentment regardless of circumstance is a special skill. (“the secret of being content”)

Contentment regardless of circumstance is not something you can do in your own strength. (”through Him who gives me strength.”)

In this context, the wall-plaque verse is no longer a brush off, but deeply challenging and encouraging.

I can have contentment regardless of circumstance through Christ who gives me strength.

Lord, help me make choices that lead to Your life and peace. I trust You to provide the strength for me to choose joy and contentment today.

---

Philippians 4: 11b-13 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I 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. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

---

Click below to listen.

Well With My Soul

I don’t need all the answers
Or better circumstances
All I need is more of You
When my heart is restless
You comfort with Your presence
All I need is more of You

When peace like a river attends my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever may come, if You’re with me I’ll say
It is well, it is well with my soul

Your generous compassion
Provides in every season
All I need is more of You
You meet me in my weakness
Sweet fellowship with Jesus
All I need is more of You

When peace like a river attends my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever may come, if You’re with me I’ll say
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

My story will tell, it is well, it is well
It is well when my soul is with You
Whatever may come, if You’re with me I’ll say
It is well, it is well with my soul

My story will tell, it is well, it is well
It is well when my soul is with You
Whatever may come, if You’re with me I’ll say
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

I don’t need all the answers
Or better circumstances
All I need is more of You

Well With My Soul
Amy Hooper ©2023 Walking Dichotomy Music (ASCAP)
Based on It is Well With My Soul by Horatio B. Spafford, Philip Bliss. Public Domain.

---

---

Subscribe for free to receive new posts in your inbox and app. Thank you to my Patrons of the Arts for their generous financial support through paid subscriptions to keep these devotionals free for everyone. Choose your subscription plan by clicking the Subscribe button below.

---

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version (R) NIV (R) ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Songwriter Notes: I encourage you to read the story of Horatio G. Spafford, the writer of the original hymn upon which this song is based. It’s always been one of my favorite hymns, and writing this new version was part of my own process of counseling my heart through some hard things (although not nearly as rough as what he went through!)