It Won’t Always Be This Way ∙∙
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. – John 16:20-21
Philippians 4:11-13
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.
A Jewish Understanding of Time
From the period of David to the New Testament, the Jewish perspective on time was characterized by a tripartite framework encompassing the past, the present, and the future. The past was defined as the age of the Fathers, which included significant patriarchs such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. The Present, on the other hand, was framed by the era of the Prophets. These leaders not only drew upon the lessons of the past but also provided moral and spiritual guidance relevant to their contemporary society. Furthermore, the Prophets looked ahead, delivering profound, often specific prophetic insights regarding the future.
The Future, however, was the most anticipated age, the coming Kingdom of God on earth. This was the time when the long-awaited Messiah would reign on the throne of David, ushering in an era of peace, prosperity, and well-being.
The “Between-Time”: Waiting for the Messiah
The present age was a mix of both good and bad, but the future was envisioned as a golden age. The arrival of the Messiah would mark the start of this new era, establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. Until that time, the Jewish people face a difficult waiting period. In Jewish eschatology, found in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 98a), it is expressed in the phrase “The birth travail of the days of the Messiah,” or “Messianic birth pangs.” This phrase reflects the struggle and hope during the “between-time,” a tough period before God’s promises are fulfilled.
The Analogy of Childbirth: Pain Transformed into Joy
Jesus provides a deeper understanding of the metaphor of birth and labor. He notes that while the pain and struggle of childbirth are profound and consuming, once the baby is born, the anguish gives way to great and lasting joy.
John 16:20-22
“I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.”
Suffering Repurposed for Greater Joy
This transition from suffering to joy serves as a compelling metaphor for children of the King. Instead of removing suffering, the Father repurposes it, allowing it to increase the joy that comes afterward. Just as the pain of childbirth heightens a mother’s joy when her baby is born, the disciples’ sorrow will make their eventual joy greater when they see the risen Christ.
God’s Principle of Transformation
The Father brings joy through transformation. Instead of changing our circumstances, He uses our circumstances to transform us. The Lord Jesus Christ prepares His disciples for the deep sense of loss they will feel when He departs to return to the Father. He recognizes the intense sadness and grief they will endure, but assures them that this sorrow will eventually be turned into a joy so profound that it can never be taken away.
REFLECT & PRAY
Wiersbe makes the sagacious observation that “Prosperity has done more damage to believers than has adversity.”
Father, thank You for being willing to teach me the art and skill of contentment. When You bring difficult circumstances and people into my life, I have learned to ask, “What would You have me learn from this?” I no longer ask why. Thank You for taking me this far. My life is Yours. What would You have Your servant do?
INSIGHT
The Struggle for Contentment: A Universal Challenge
Life is a constant ebb and flow of experiences, marked by both joy and hardship. It is a continual cycle characterized by ups and downs. During tough times, it’s important to remember that challenges are temporary and will pass. Conversely, in moments of happiness and joy, it’s equally vital to cherish them, as they are fleeting.
Contentment is not an innate trait of humans. Instead, discontentment, negativity, and complaining tend to come naturally. True contentment is a rare and learned virtue, not something that comes easily to anyone. For some, the excitement of taking risks and exploring new opportunities provides an adrenaline rush, while others withdraw into solitude, mistaking it for contentment.
Job 5:7 “For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward.”
Many believe that changing their circumstances will lead to contentment. However, this is a shallow and immature perspective. The Apostle Paul offers a deeper understanding of contentment, one that transcends external conditions.
Paul’s Journey to Contentment
Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11-12 reveal the depth of his experience:
“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.”
Hansen provides a more nuanced translation of Philippians 4:11 that highlights the contrast Paul presents: “I know both how to be humbled, and I know how to prosper.”
Paul’s life was a study in extremes. At times, he had everything; at others, he had nothing. Yet, he emphasizes that contentment was not something he naturally possessed. It was something he learned. Life became his classroom, and the Father his teacher. Through a series of trials and blessings, Paul learned to navigate both the highs and lows of life.
The Transformation of Reactions
What ultimately set Paul apart was not his circumstances but how he responded to them. At first, like many others, he depended on his personal strength, intellect, and determination. But over time, he learned to place his complete trust in the Father. This shift in reliance brought him a deep sense of peace and serenity.
Paul’s journey was filled with challenges, similar to midterms and finals in the school of life. Through these trials, contentment grew from a fleeting feeling into a core part of his character. As Constable notes, “The quality of contentment eventually became an essential attribute of his character.”
The Source of True Contentment
Paul’s sense of contentment was not contingent upon his material well-being or physical situation. Instead, it was rooted in a transformative relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. This connection gave him a deep sense of peace, strength, and resilience that surpassed any external circumstances. He captures this profound truth with this compelling statement: Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Paul’s ability to stay content in every situation, whether in poverty or prosperity, hunger or abundance. was rooted in the strength he drew from the Lord Jesus Christ. This strength enabled him to face life’s extremes without worry, with the peace of God protecting his heart and mind.
As Hansen explains, Paul’s peace and contentment were not the result of favorable circumstances but of the unshakable presence of Christ in his life. This peace, described in Philippians 4:6-7, guarded his heart and mind, allowing him to face life’s challenges with unwavering confidence and serenity.
The Father teaches children of the King the art of contentment, not by removing challenges but by turning them into opportunities for growth. In many ways, hardship can be a refining process, while prosperity can be a test of character. Both require wisdom and perspective to navigate successfully. He molds His children, providing lessons that deepen faith and trust in Him.
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© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 