How can we learn the discipline of contentment in such a fast-moving world? Listen as Susie welcomes back author, speaker, and futurist Dr. Richard Swenson. He’s written a book called Contentment, and we explore the ways we can step back from a hectic life and step into a place of peace. They spend time unpacking:
The historical views of contentment
“There’s two kinds of contentment. One is a general contentment that God has allowed everybody to understand and have a part of. Then there’s the other kind of contentment, the biblical contentment, that’s very special, very powerful, a gift that God has given to each believer.”
Why we currently grapple with peace and rest
“The math is different today. The math is just very strange; it’s gone off the charts the last ten, fifteen, twenty-five years. We’ve navigated ourselves right off the map; we’re throwing around this world ‘trillion,’ and yet the curves are vertical. If you look at the Arab Spring, China and Japan and our own economy… everything is being shaken. But what God says is ‘Don’t be afraid.’ There’s over 300 places in Scripture that says ‘Do not be afraid.'”
How God gives us peace
“God has a way of calming our hearts because He is who He is.”
How to anchor our peace in God, rather than our physical realities
“Right now He’s given us this gift of faith. Contentment comes from this God, from the hiddenness but the very real reality of where He is. The contentment comes from outside this world.”
Dr. Swenson’s other books include Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives and In Search of Balance.
Key Scriptures: John 14:27; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:5
Featured Songs: Christ is Enough for Me by Hillsong; Desert Song by Hillsong; You Are Good by Kari Jobe
Highlight : Contentment outside the physical
The “other-worldly attitude” of contentment
This program has been previously aired.
