4 Misconceptions about Contentment (Melissa Kruger) | Word First

today we're pleased to share with you an audio essay written and read by Melissa Krueger entitled four misconceptions about contentment Melissa's book is growing together taking mentoring Beyond small talk and prayer requests from [Music] Crossway four misconceptions about contentment Melissa B Krueger wandering in unbelief one of our greatest struggles with contentment is that we often have an incorrect picture of what it means to be content it's helpful to understand what something is not in order to have a more correct understanding of what it is Paul learned contentment but we can gain a better picture of what that really looked like from what he shared about his life with the churches to whom he wrote from Paul's letters below are four things contentment is not one contentment is not a care free existence contentment isn't having it all together and finding a life of Perfect Balance nor is it an idic moment spent swinging on a hammock sipping lemonade and reading a book on a cool fall afternoon while all the world around you falls apart pause description of his time in Asia probably wouldn't make the Facebook feed for we do not want you to be ignorant Brothers of the affli we experienced in Asia for we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself 2 Corinthians 1:8 burdened Afflicted despairing these description are not in opposition to a contented soul in this world we won't be free of hardship contentment trust God while walking through the hard joy and sorrow can walk side by side and not be in opposition to one another two contentment is not the absence of relational conf and anguish of heart Paul had his share of relational disagreements even departing from Barnabas over a dispute regarding Mark acts 15:39 in the midst of deep affection Ministry included relational anguish I wrote to you out of much Affliction and anguish of heart and With Many Tears Not to cause you pain but to let you know the Abundant love that I have for you 2 Corinthians 2:4 loving others means our hearts will be for them contentment is not an indifferent disposition toward others instead we should expect that the depth of our love for one another will involve tears we weep when others weep and we feel compassion in their pain contentment is not in opposition to longing for the day when heartache will be over and tears will be no more three contentment is not a life without longing and groaning in our distress when we mistakenly view contentment as an endless positive polyana attitude we miss entering more deeply into relationship with Jesus Jesus was troubled in Soul on the eve of his crucifixion and in agony prayed multiple times to the father for rescue Luke 22:44 Paul described his own experience with similar distress in this tent we Gran longing to put on our Heavenly dwelling 2 Corinthians 52 contentment does not mean that we are free from desires longings or heart-wrenching circumstances if you are hurting or someone you love needs healing Cry Out To God In Prayer contentment isn't apathy or a sort of grin andbe mentality we can seek solution and help in our trials we can tell others we are suffering crying out to God for Relief is not in opposition to contentment four contentment is not Freedom From Fear and anxiety Paul explained the state of his circumstances in inner turmoil and Stark detail even when we came into Macedonia our bodies had no rest but we were Afflicted at every turn fighting without and fear within 2 Corinthians 75 Paul faced outward danger and inward fear he bore daily pressure and anxiety for all the churches under his care 2 Corinthians 11:28 he did not hide his struggles both physic physical and emotional yet he took his fears and anxieties to the Lord and experienced peace in the midst of them and he instructed the Philippians do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and Minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 46-7 Paul learned the secret of contentment not by by freeing himself from Earthly struggles or burdens but by experiencing the power of Christ's presence in both his times of Plenty and Times of want he embraced Christ's goodness in the midst of life's hardness all of Paul's life testified Christ is Enough It Is Well with My [Music] Soul that was four misconceptions about contentment written and read by Melissa Krueger for more be sure to check out her book with Crossway growing together taking mentoring Beyond small talk and prayer requests pick up a print copy of the book for 30% off or get the ebook for 50% off directly from Crossway by visiting crossway.org plusus for more audio content like this subscribe to the Crossway podcast on Apple podcast Spotify or your favorite podcast player if you enjoyed this episode consider sharing it with a friend and leaving us a review Crossway is a not for-profit Christian Ministry that exists solely for the purpose of of proclaiming the truth of God's word through publishing gospel centered content visit us today at crossway.org