A four-year-old can play “Chopsticks” on the piano, but a fourteen-year-old can play Brahms’ “Lullaby.” A four-year-old can read short words, but a fourteen-year-old can read novels. A four-year-old can ride a bike without training wheels, but a fourteen-year-old can fly down a trail on a mountain bike. What is the key element in all these progressions of skill? It is learning.

But it is not just physical or mental skills that can be learned; spiritual skills can be learned as well. The Greek word for learn is the verb form of the word for disciple—a learner or pupil. Both words mean to learn by practice, instruction, and experience. Learning presupposes a lack of knowledge or skill that is later gained through practice, instruction, and experience. So when the apostle Paul said, “I have learned...to be content,” he was saying he hadn’t always been content—that he had been dissatisfied, impatient, or discontent.

When you feel discontent, ask God to teach you contentment in whatever way He chooses. Learning takes time, patience, and humility.

Contentment with what we have is absolutely vital to our spiritual health.
Jerry Bridges