Friday, September 28, 2018

Book Review: Contentment

 Contentment: Seeing God's Goodness. Megan Hill. 2018. P&R Publishing. 96 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I thought that the coat would change everything. Red canvas, with large pockets and a brown corduroy collar, this coat was just what every student in my seventh-grade class wanted.

Contentment: Seeing God's Goodness is a devotional book on the topic of contentment. Because discontent can come anytime, anywhere AND since it's a sneaky sin that tends to fly under the radar, it's important for believers to be aware and pay attention. It is, in fact, key to cultivate contentment.

The devotions are divided into several sections: "The Value of Contentment," "Finding Contentment by Looking to Christ," "Cultivating a Right Understanding of My Circumstances," "Cultivating Right Desires," "Cultivating a Thankful Heart," and "Pursuing Contentment in Specific Circumstances." There are thirty-one devotions in all. Each devotion begins with scripture and ends with reflection and/or activities.

I enjoyed reading this devotion. I know that I can be quite hard on devotional books now and then. But I like taking chances on devotionals. I like being surprised when a devotional is packed with insight and substance instead of mere fluff. This one was worth my time, and I think it will be worth your time too.

One of her devotions, for example, shares four benefits of contentment:
1. Contentment makes us ready to worship God. When we worship, in private or in public, we acknowledge that God alone is God and that we are his humble creatures who owe him our very selves. If we are contented, we will be eager to sing and pray and listen to the God who does all things well (see Job 1:20–21).
2. Contentment allows us to experience and display God’s grace. Contentment does not come naturally to anyone. Apart from grace, all people grumble and complain almost without pause. But by his Spirit God transforms us, making us content and displaying his power to everyone who sees our lives.
3. Contentment frees us to serve God and others. If we are constantly preoccupied with our own situation—the things we lack or the things we wish were different—we won’t be looking for opportunities to serve. The most useful people in God’s kingdom are those who trust the Lord regardless of outward circumstances.
4. Contentment keeps us from various temptations to sin. When we are always thinking about what we would like to change in our circumstances, Satan is quick to respond. He will eagerly tempt us to sinfully demand (or take) the things that God hasn’t given us (see Gen. 3:1–5; James 4:1–2). If, instead, we are satisfied with what God has given, we will not give Satan an opportunity in our hearts.

Another shares three reasons why discontent is so wrong:
What makes discontent so serious? Consider three things: 1. Discontent is rebellion against God. When we complain about the things God has done or the things he has withheld, we accuse him of acting wrongly. 2. Discontent keeps us from love for God. If we believe that God has acted wrongly, we will not serve and love him with heart, soul, mind, and strength (see Mark 12:30). 3. Discontent leads to other sins. Idolatry, selfishness, anger, covetousness, slander, stealing, adultery, and even murder often begin as discontent (see, for example, Rom. 1:21–32; James 4:1–3).
I would definitely recommend this devotional.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

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