Truth For Life's Top Picks for Attaining Peace in a Hectic World

“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” Expounding on each element of this powerful, accurate definition, English Puritan preacher Jeremiah Burroughs penned the timeless classic The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. Concerned with the inner workings of peace and contentment in the individual hearts of his listeners, Burroughs originally delivered The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment as a sermon drawn from the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11. Rich with practical wisdom and apt illustrations,  Burroughs’s text will remind you that comfort isn’t found in this world but in the world yet to come.  In this edition, the devotion and depth of The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment shines through the careful editing that smooths the difficult language of a bygone era to present biblical, practical counsel in a convenient size.

Have you ever noticed that even in the midst of plenty, it’s difficult to be content? One only needs to read Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory to see that this isn’t a new phenomenon. Originally preparing this book as an appendix to The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, Puritan preacher Jeremiah Burroughs urged the listeners of his words to consider that the wealthy may have an even harder time finding contentment than those who have very little. Beginning by warning of the dangers of trusting in riches rather than in God, Contentment, Prosperity, and God’s Glory works through the wonderful possibilities available to the Christian blessed with wealth. Just 119 pages, the book can be read quickly or, perhaps more beneficially, savored a page or two a day as a month’s mediation.

Materialism, accomplishment, the longing for more—these desires drive the modern world, and yet they are destined to fail to satisfy us. As Christians, we’re called to turn from seeking satisfaction in earthly endeavors and instead to look to Christ alone as our source of peace and comfort. The question is… is such contentment even possible? The answer is yes, but it requires us to change our thinking and our attitudes. The Power of Christian Contentment provides a tremendously helpful framework for doing so, along with practical techniques for overcoming negative habits such as complaining and complacency. Drawing from the teachings of Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs and the apostle Paul, author Andrew M. Davis explores what it takes to maintain day-to-day contentment in both poverty and prosperity, even in the age of smart phones and social media.

The Bible tells us that contentment must be learned, and The Secret of Contentment gets right to the heart of the matter: to do so, we must know God and delight in His sovereign goodness and fatherly care. William B. Barcley stands on the shoulders of Puritan preachers Jeremiah Burroughs and Thomas Watson to bring their thoughts to a modern audience, seeking the wisdom in Paul’s Philippian letter as he does so. The Secret of Contentment exposes the seeds of discontent that threaten our growth, then gives us resources to find joy in our status with God through Christ. The book’s length and size make it ideal to give away, then discuss over coffee later.

Take a moment to break apart the title of this book, and you’ll have a solid picture of our culture. Ours is a society set on the chase, always striving wearily to find satisfaction in “the next thing.” Author Erik Raymond issues a challenge to Christians that have been trapped in this endless cycle of wanting more. He helps us understand that what God has provided is ample and sufficient.  Divided into two parts, Chasing Contentment begins by establishing time-tested truths that define the virtue of contentment, then focuses the gaze on the God who is content and what it looks like to learn contentment for ourselves. Raymond’s writing is both biblical and immensely practical. Chasing Contentment will lead you to a greater understanding of God’s providence.

What’s truly at the heart of our desires? That’s the guiding question Melissa B. Kruger asks in this important read about the too often overlooked sin of covetousness. The book begins with a solid examination of the root causes of coveting and the ultimate remedy for it found only in Christ. The Envy of Eve then addresses specific types of coveting, each accompanied by a biblical character as an illustration. With questions at the conclusion of each chapter, the book is ideal for personal or small group study and discussion. Beyond just diagnosing the problem, though, Kruger provides a clear path for replacing a sinful pattern of wickedness with one of holiness. The Envy of Eve digs beneath the surface of discontent to expose what needs healing before God’s sovereignty and goodness.

A quick glance at any retail counter displays a veritable bombardment of the “you can have it all” deception aimed especially at women—and the emptiness that results from buying in couldn’t be further from what God desires for His daughters. Contentment: A Godly Woman’s Adornment offers a day-by-day take-back of a life complete in Christ. This on-the-go devotional by Lydia Brownback is full of His truths and promises that assure women where real satisfaction can be found. Every lesson is self-contained and comes with a Scripture reference and a brief paragraph or two of teaching. Designed for the full days that busy women face, each devotional is biblically rigorous, insightful, and expressly pointed to the security, rest, and peace in a loving Father whose promises never fail.