Think about all the things you’ve learned to do! When you were four, maybe you could play “Chopsticks” on the piano with one finger. Now you might be able to play a whole song with both hands! When you were little, you could probably read simple words like cat and dog. Now you can read chapter books!

The coolest part? You can learn spiritual things too, just like physical skills! The apostle Paul said, “I have learned...to be content.” The word “learned” here comes from the same word we get “disciple” from, which means “a student or learner.”

Here’s what’s super interesting: When Paul said, “I have LEARNED to be content,” he was admitting that he hadn’t ALWAYS been content! There was a time when Paul was probably impatient, worried, or unhappy about his situation. But through practice and experience (and lots of help from God), he learned how to be content no matter what was happening in his life.

That’s great news for us! If you struggle with being content (maybe you always want the newest toy or you’re jealous of what your friends have or you complain when things don’t go your way), don’t worry! Contentment is something you can learn, just like riding a bike or playing an instrument.

Think About It: What’s something you’ve gotten better at through practice? Maybe you’ve improved at a sport, learned to cook something, or gotten better at a video game. Learning contentment works the same way—it takes time, practice, and patience with yourself. Ask God to teach you contentment in whatever way He chooses. Remember, even the apostle Paul had to learn this skill!