Introduction
Good day to all, and I am very pleased to meet you online once again. Today, I will be sharing with you a very pertinent topic, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation! As children, we have all heard the story of Ali Baba, Open Sesame! Lo and behold, the door opens to a treasury full of gems. This is the tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. When one is impoverished, they yearn to discover a secret, a key to unlock wealth. Whether Chinese or foreign, the desire to attain this secret is intense. However, when Ali Baba entered the treasure trove, the door closed, and he forgot the very secret to exit. Thus, if one can discover a treasure in life, they shall lack nothing.
In my youth, I had a neighbour, old Wang, who enjoyed recounting the tale of the Treasure Bowl, which promised immense riches. Indeed, everyone aspires to live well. Today, my topic, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation! asks, what is this secret? I will reveal it to you today. The act of living is an eternal topic. If you observe closely, many great literary works that deal with the subject of life have won awards. Today, I wish to pen an article, drawing from this secret of life, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation!
I observe that many today do not know how to live well, despite lacking nothing. Some might say they lack virtue, but I contend they lack joy, needlessly creating problems. Therefore, many today need to hear my sharing, to learn the secret I will impart. At times, when we perceive unfavourable circumstances, we become distressed; when conditions improve, we become complacent.
Such is the nature of man, complacent when lacking nothing. However, the wise can thrive in adversity and flourish in prosperity. Today, I speak of a person some may not agree with: the Apostle Paul. Do not suggest that few resemble the Apostle Paul; he has already shared his secret with us. Insisting on devising one's own secret, distinct from Paul's, will only lead to trouble.
As I see it, the current state of needless suffering among people requires a thorough solution. To achieve this, one must understand the secret to which the Apostle Paul refers. This secret is not distant. Today, we speak of the Apostle Paul, whom others may perceive as not living well. But the quality of one's life is not significantly related to external perceptions, but rather to one's internal feelings. Some find joy and happiness in all they do, while others are perpetually troubled, lacking joy despite having everything, plagued by anxiety!
Scripture
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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. (Philippians 4:10-12 NIV)
Prayer
O God, speak to us today. O God, open our minds, that we may receive this secret. O God, let joy flow from your throne, filling our hearts with your joy. Enlighten us today, that we may learn the secret in all circumstances, at all times. By the strength you bestow, may I always rejoice. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Paul's Transformation and Mission
Paul was originally a Jew, adhering to Judaism. Later, Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to heaven. Whether Paul met Jesus remains unknown, though he was likely in Jerusalem at the time. Paul was a distinguished student in Jerusalem, studying under Gamaliel. Gamaliel, akin to a modern academy member, was highly renowned, and admission into his tutelage required great intelligence. Thus, Paul received strict Jewish education from a young age, thoroughly versed in the books of Moses.
Then suddenly, there was Jesus, with many believing in him. According to Jewish tradition, how could another God emerge? Unacceptable. Paul, zealous for God's sake, arrested Christians. One day, en route to arrest more, a light from heaven shone upon him, causing him to fall to the ground, blinded. That light was our Lord Jesus.
Our Lord Jesus saw favour in Paul, drawn to the strength of his character. Paul then dedicated his life to serving the Jesus who appeared to him. Paul asked Jesus who he was, and Jesus replied, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Paul's eyes were blinded. Jesus instructed him to go to a specific house in the city, arranging for another to meet him, pray for him, and restore his sight. As Jesus foretold, Paul's sight was restored, and he began to believe.
After believing, Paul did not become boastful but instead diligently built his foundation in seclusion, studying the Bible. In that era, the New Testament did not exist, and many scriptures were penned by the Apostle Paul. Initially unsure of his purpose, he later realised that Jesus wanted him to establish churches.
Why did Jesus choose Paul to establish churches? Jesus had a prominent disciple, Peter, for whom many sayings were intended, such as catching men like catching fish, and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. However, Peter's own writings, in our terms, were not particularly successful. Jesus then chose Paul, who achieved great success. We are fortunate to have Paul today; his teachings are profound, uncompromisingly implementing the teachings of Jesus, unlike Peter, whose actions were sometimes questionable.
During Paul's church-planting endeavours, a man named Barnabas, having heard of Paul, invited him to Antioch to jointly establish churches. Antioch became a hub of fervent activity, with Paul continuously preaching the gospel and establishing churches. Initially, Paul established churches in Asia, but the Holy Spirit revealed to him that he should carry the gospel to Europe. Paul then went to Philippi, where he found a few believers and began to establish a church there.
Paul established the church in Philippi, continuously moving forward, establishing numerous churches, and planning to go to Rome. Before going, he wrote a letter called Romans. He penned Philippians, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Galatians. Most of these were written before Philippians, which was written later.
After writing Romans, Paul carried a large sum of money, which today would amount to hundreds of millions, to bless the church in Jerusalem, hoping to bear fruit among the Jews, leading some back to the pure gospel, away from the Mosaic Law.
Paul's Predicament and Faith
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul handed the money to James, the leader of the church at that time. Within days, Jewish Christians sought to kill Paul. Fortunately, Roman soldiers intervened, arresting Paul and imprisoning him in Israel for two years. After two years, Paul appealed to the Roman Emperor, seeking to go to Rome. Though he could have been released, Paul's appeal led him to Rome to await Caesar's judgment.
Christians had a poor reputation in Rome, and the Roman government disliked them. In that environment, Paul's case was nearing resolution, and he was released, at which point he wrote Philippians. The Holy Spirit repeatedly hindered Paul from going to Jerusalem, yet Paul persisted, resulting in his arrest.
While under guard in Rome, Paul wrote Philippians. Why? A brother from the Philippian church named Epaphroditus travelled to Rome with funds to care for Paul but fell ill, nearly dying. Should Epaphroditus die, it would be deeply troublesome. Paul constantly spoke of God's authority and omnipotence, yet the one caring for him nearly died. However, thanks be to God, Epaphroditus recovered through Paul's fervent prayers.
Once healed, Paul immediately sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi to bring comfort to the people there, who were deeply concerned about his severe illness. Thus, Paul penned Philippians, sending it with Epaphroditus to the Philippian church to address numerous confusions. The first was why Paul, a preacher of the gospel, had been imprisoned for so long. Another confusion was the prevalence of circumcision being preached in Philippi.
Based on my study of the Bible, I believe this was related to James, Jesus' brother, and others in the Jerusalem church who were not doing a noble service at that time. Paul was imprisoned because of these individuals. He strongly opposed their pervasive preaching of circumcision for Christians, thus addressing this confusion in his letter. Near the end of Philippians, he wrote:
I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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. (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV)
This is the context of this passage. After hearing this, you understand that Paul's circumstances were highly perplexing, even for the average person. You might think the gospel being preached is peaceful, but these incidents occurred. If you encountered such events today, would you still believe? Would it be difficult? Today, I want to use the secret to explain what Paul meant and how he addressed these confusions.
Joy from a Clear Goal
To live joyfully, one must have a clear objective. Without direction, how can one live with joy? This clear objective must stem from a clear logical system. If you clearly identify becoming wealthy as your objective, is it truly an objective? It may be a trap. Thus, a clear objective must be accompanied by a set of principles. Today, Jesus Christ, as proclaimed by the Apostle Paul, reveals a new way of living, a new purpose. It is different from our daily lives, working, earning, and eating. Living should not be merely existing. Even in merely existing, one needs a clear understanding and theory.
If one lacks destiny within, minor issues will escalate, as happens with many. Without a clear objective, one does not know why they are living. Someone once shared something interesting, If the pot doesn't steam buns, it steams face. What does this mean? If there are no buns, one is simply competing for status! People often compete for status when idle, a widespread phenomenon. Once, a couple came to me late at night. From their expressions, I sensed trouble. They said they wanted a divorce, that they were incompatible. My work often involves resolving such matters. Couples do not seek me out when they are happy.
People failing to comprehend even compete for status in marriage. I solved their issues because my theory was sound and my logical system was clear. After my explanation, the couple's thinking cleared and they triumphed! They later told me their house had been rented out, and they found work. This shows that when many things go smoothly, one triumphs. God gives us small rewards.
Living joyfully is important, so one must find a way to live. Over the years, I have been so dedicated to believing in Jesus, finding it similar to the path found by the Apostle Paul. For years, I did not know why I was living, finding it burdensome. I wanted to die sooner rather than later, yet I could not find a way to die. As I searched for a way of life, Jesus found me. Knowing Jesus brings joy! Today, when we refer to Mingding Destiny, we mean living for Jesus. How wonderful is this! We have discovered why we come into this world, not to merely exist, compete, or earn money. Had I not known Jesus, I feel that no goal would be a real goal.
In Journey to the West, a monkey grew despondent, discovering that people eventually die, and sought eternal life. Many people are far inferior to Sun Wukong. The monkey knew to seek eternal life, yet people often do not, making them inferior to a monkey. Over the years, I have ministered to many who have experienced earth-shattering events, returning from the brink of death, healed through prayer from fatal illnesses. Yet, even after being healed, they do not understand the meaning of life.
Brothers and sisters, you must understand that without a clear objective, not knowing why you are living, treating trivial matters as significant, how can you find joy? How significant is finding a job? Yet, many agonize over it. How significant is doing work? Yet, many agonize over it. It is difficult to live joyfully. So, I tell you, the first secret to living joyfully is to have a clear objective. Otherwise, how can you rejoice? My logic is simple: One should live joyfully for a lifetime. Living without joy is too stifling.
Eternal Goals and Diligent Pursuit
Today, I want to guide you to find a goal in eternity. If one lives and then dies, it is all over. Without knowing Jesus, I would have found each day unbearable. After searching and finding, Paul's goal was Jesus Christ. This is not just about what happens after death but about an eternal crown of glory. This is not something that can be seen; it would be difficult to realize it only after being seen.
Today, I want to tell you at least one thing: hold firmly to the hope and blessing in eternity, and you will rejoice! Why? If you deem this an important goal in life, many things in this present life become less important. Thus, I have always urged you to raise your spiritual height, broaden your perspective and mind, ultimately returning to a key question: Why are you living? This is a philosophical question. The most important secret to living is to have a clear objective, an eternal objective.
Secret Number Two: Striving Diligently
You see, after we came to know Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul said:
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8 NIV)
Sometimes we are not aligned correctly, and we end up doing the wrong thing, pursuing extravagant things. Why do we pursue these things? Many people love to pursue them. A sister spent a lot of money on a bag some time ago, and I didn't approve of it. She even spent a long time explaining it to me. A long time later, she told me that it wasn't that meaningful after all; it was just a bag. I was puzzled; how could a bag attract so many people?
If the goal is wrong, even if you strive diligently and obtain it, you will not be joyful. Like this bag, carrying it makes you feel conflicted and not happy at all. Today, if our goal is not right, whether we strive diligently or not is useless. Your initial goal must be right, pursuing hope and glory in eternity. Assuming everyone has the right goals, the problem is that after aligning correctly, they don't realize they are Christians. Knowing this, their way of living still lacks diligent pursuit. Today, I must tell you that only through diligent pursuit can you find joy! A person who strives diligently is a joyful person; once the goal is set, strive diligently towards it. How should we understand diligent pursuit?
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 NIV)
It is Jesus calling him to receive the crown of glory, but the Apostle Paul has a secret to living joyfully! Can one be joyful living in this world in a lukewarm manner, without a soul and without God? It would be good enough if one doesn't get cancer. A person must have a fire burning within, filled with the passion for diligent pursuit. What I dislike most is being neither cold nor hot, which in Northeastern dialect is called unable to squeeze a fart out of a carrying pole. It's really distressing to see such people, so bland, loose, and doing everything poorly; it's tiring to watch.
I think God likes people who have fire and passion within them! Once we get to know Jesus, we are truly letting God down if we don't strive diligently! I tell you, those who strive diligently are the ones who enjoy doing things. Whether it's my work, my faith, or reading the Bible, I enjoy many things I do. Why? Because I strive diligently, doing things with enthusiasm and zeal.
Many people in this world want to live easily and effortlessly. Recently, a popular influencer was teaching people how to do live-streaming for sales on Douyin. Someone came up to talk to the host, wanting to do it easily and effortlessly, not wanting to work too long or too hard, just wanting to sell a little merchandise. The host said that it's better to just forget about it!
Today, many people look for jobs not to find promising careers, but to find jobs close to home. How is that possible? So, I think people lack a mindset of paying the price. Are we running straight towards the goal today? After setting the direction, we constantly pursue and grow! Everyone must know that this is how we can find joy. Let's examine ourselves; do we have that enthusiasm and passion in what we do?
In spiritual matters, doing everything in a bland manner is a sign of having a cancerous constitution. Everyone should work hard during the day, full of zeal, and then sleep soundly at night. This is grace! I like working; why? Because after working, I sleep soundly. I not only enjoy doing mental work but also enjoy doing physical work. This keeps my mind sharp and my hands skillful.
I think this determines whether a person truly believes that Jesus Christ is a treasure. If we truly believe, how can we not strive diligently? Or you will suffer if you don't strive diligently. Later, I often tested some people, asking what they would do if a business could earn them a million. Surely they would work hard. What if it could earn them ten million? Then they would work like crazy! I wondered why they couldn't put in the same effort into their faith. They treat it as if it's worthless!
So, today I encourage everyone to be certain that, whether in practice or theory, you should continue to observe carefully those who have obtained the treasure of life, who have come to know my Lord Jesus Christ, and then set up the beacon of their life. The key to obtaining the secret is having a clear goal; are we striving diligently? When you have a clear goal and strive diligently, you cannot be poor! Moreover, blessings will follow you, joy will follow you, and everything you do will prosper! This is an incredible thing!
Secret Number Three: Turning Everything into a Good Thing
Originally, the Holy Spirit repeatedly hindered Paul from going to Jerusalem, but He didn't stop him. One wrong step led to many more, and Paul was eventually arrested in Jerusalem. Why did Paul want to go to Jerusalem? Because he loved the Israelites and hoped they could believe in the Lord! As a result of taking one wrong step, he was arrested and stayed there for two years. Originally, he was supposed to be released, but he was sent to Rome. Paul originally wanted to go to Rome, and now he really did go, but not in the way he intended. He was taken there as a prisoner.
The journey to Rome was very long, and Paul performed miracles everywhere along the way. A storm overturned the ship, and the people on board were about to die after not eating for many days. As a result, Paul performed a miracle, and everyone on the ship was saved. When they arrived on a small island, the island chief's father had a high fever, and Paul prayed for him, and he was healed. After much hardship, they finally arrived in Rome, and the soldiers guarding Paul became familiar with him.
The Secret to Turning Everything into a Good Thing
Some people can turn everything into a good thing, while others can turn a good thing into a bad thing. Some people can play a bad hand beautifully, while others can play a good hand terribly. People's lives are indeed very different, and it's not that some people only encounter good things. Paul encountered such unfortunate things, but he was still able to preach the gospel before the emperor and to the soldiers guarding him. Paul didn't complain that trouble was upon him. You must know that you are a Christian, and you must obtain a secret of victory:
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. (Philippians 4:12 NIV)
If a person gets cancer, he must know to repent, and he must first have a clear goal of living. Turning the wrong goals into things that disturb our thoughts will make people very unhappy. Having Jesus but not pursuing Him properly, shouldn't you repent? Then you often complain about this and that. Can you turn getting cancer into a good thing? I have really seen people turn getting cancer into a good thing. An American got cancer and tried all kinds of methods to cure it, and eventually, he was cured. Later, he wrote a book about cancer, which became a bestseller and earned him 2 million dollars. You say he earned 2 million dollars from getting cancer, while you spend 2 million dollars on getting cancer.
It was wrong for the Apostle Paul to go to Jerusalem, but it doesn't matter. In the eyes of the Apostle Paul, who trusted in God, there is no such thing as a bad thing. Even though he did wrong, God still made it right. We often say, Create conditions even when there are no conditions. So, brothers and sisters, we must see everything as good. Did Paul's arrest affect the gospel and building the church? No, Paul still preached the gospel and built the church. Paul rented a house in Rome and lived there, and local Christians often visited, and he built up many people in two years.
We often say to see everything as good, but some people just don't understand this principle. They have to see the bad, and as soon as they see the bad, their faith is corrupted. Why can't they see everything as good? There was a sister among us who was very poor. To save money, she even wanted to save the money for the bus. She walked to and from work every day, and she only ate two meals a day, sometimes only one meal, just to save money. As a result, her body became very strong. Before, I didn't understand. I thought, Wouldn't you be hungry eating only one meal a day? But after seeing her story, I was convinced. She was not only not starved to death, but her body was also very strong. How could the same bad thing become a good thing for her?
So, brothers and sisters, you must know that many diseases are caused by eating. When I was young, our family had to borrow food to eat, but I rarely heard of any cancer or diabetes. Now that life is better, there is cancer and diabetes everywhere. Later, I realized that some things are really not necessarily bad things. My mother got Alzheimer's disease, and I defeated the devil behind Alzheimer's disease. If it weren't for my mother getting Alzheimer's disease, how would I know that the old horse was behind Alzheimer's disease?
Can we have an ability to turn everything we see into a good thing? The Apostle Paul obtained the secret of being joyful even in prison and lawsuits. He has obtained the secret of being content in any and every situation, and nothing can steal the joy within you. Wouldn't you become a very powerful person? A Christian will become someone the world is not worthy of.
Joy in Contentment and Warfare
Be content in whatever circumstances you are in. People often say that contentment brings joy. It depends on how you think about it. There is a joke that says a person was walking and saw someone riding a bicycle. He was very envious and thought, If I could only have a bicycle. As a result, the person riding the bicycle said, looking at those riding motorcycles, How cool they are! My bicycle is too shabby. If I could only have a Harley. As a result, the person riding the Harley said, What a broken car this is! It only has two wheels. Those people driving Lamborghinis are so cool! The person driving the Lamborghini was not happy either. He thought, If I could only have a helicopter... Later, they found that those who possessed things were not happy. Why? Because people are not content. People who are not content will have a mentality of poverty, feeling that no matter how much they have, it is not enough.
I have a wonderful feeling that I always feel that I have more than I imagine, but some people always feel that they have less than they imagine. This is all a matter of mindset. If the mindset is wrong, it doesn't matter what you have. You envy him, and he envies others! So, at any time and in any situation, it is all about creating a feeling, and the feeling we create is just that something is wrong within us. If something is wrong within us, it is a very troublesome thing. Today, we must never lack anything in our lives. Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.
No matter what happens, I am joyful. Isn't that infuriating to those who are uncomfortable? I don't have as much money as others, and my car isn't as good as others, but it doesn't matter. I still feel good and will never lack anything in my life. I think we should have a mindset of abundance. There is often a lot of room for creation in our circumstances, and we can also use all the conditions. You must know that our two bombs and one satellite were created when conditions were not available. They were created when imperialism was strangling us. We have overcome such difficulties in the past. What are we afraid of today? Brothers and sisters, we must have a content mindset. Isn't it good if you see that the money in your account is more than you imagined every day?
Secret Number Five: Joy in Warfare and Tribulation
People must understand the meaning of warfare. When I was preparing my manuscript, someone sent me a message. This sister said, My waist was fine yesterday, but today I can't move. As a result, I arranged for people to minister to her. After her pastor ministered to her, she fell asleep, hoping to get better. I want her to know that the key is warfare; warfare is an eternal topic. Today, we Christians must know one thing: even if you don't provoke a demon, it will still come to provoke you. It's enough to make you suffer if a demon messes with you. The key is whether you can defeat the demon! If you can't defeat it, you have to swallow your anger and act like you're cornered. People must live by their own strength. So, after the ministry, I sent this sister a message: You still need to develop your ability to engage in warfare.
Brothers and sisters, why are we joyful in warfare and tribulation today? It is because we are trampling on the demonic enemies in this spiritual world. By the authority given to us by Jesus Christ, we can fight a victorious battle. Demons can create some tribulation and pain for us, but they cannot take away our joy in Jesus Christ. Recently, I researched a small result:
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:4-5 NIV)
What does this sentence mean? Later, I understood that devils can deal with our bodies, creating some tribulation and trouble for us. Believing in the Lord does not mean that nothing will happen. If nothing really happens to you, I estimate that you are not far from leaving God. It is because there are tribulations that we need Jesus every day. Today, we must develop a habit: to be joyful in warfare and tribulation.
Paul and the Philippians suffered together, but Paul said it was a good thing. Otherwise, when we return to God in the future, what will we say to God that we have overcome? We must know that the road of warfare began from the moment we believed in the Lord. If you say that you don't want to fight and just want to be a slave, then go back to the devil and be a slave. I'm not trying to discourage you, but I have to make it clear to you that besides victory, what other choices are there? There is no good choice.
The environment we are in and the problems we face are often not what we can choose, and it is not that we can make the world revolve around us. We must be in this environment and let this environment become the benefit of our growth. We have been fighting from the time we believed in the Lord until today. Warfare is uncomfortable, but winning a battle can maintain a period of peace, and being defeated will result in being bullied forever.
During the Korean War, many people were bullied, but the victory in the war brought decades of peace, allowing us to recuperate. So, brothers and sisters, enduring tribulations is a good thing, and we have only one choice: to be victorious. Otherwise, what will we say that we have paid the price for? What are you doing if you don't pay the price for believing in the Lord?
There are five secrets to living. Everyone must remember them. First, have a clear goal; second, strive diligently; third, turn everything into a good thing; fourth, be content at all times; and fifth, be joyful in warfare and tribulation. The last one is a bit difficult, but if you can be joyful in any environment, then you are someone the world is not worthy of.
Conclusion
Brothers and sisters, it is only right to pay the price for Mingding Destiny. When we learn to pay the price for Mingding Destiny and let go of many things, we will rejoice in the Lord always, and that is the secret to living. Today, we tell God that no one can take away the blessings we have in Jesus Christ; no one can take away our Mingding Destiny in Jesus Christ; nor can anyone take away the rewards that God wants to give us in Jesus Christ. God has prepared one environment after another, allowing us to overcome through these by relying on the Lord Jesus. Brothers and sisters, today I send everyone a word: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
May God bless everyone!