5 Recommended Resources on Contentment and Gratitude
Once a year on Thanksgiving, we set aside a specific day to voice our gratitude. But what about the other 364 days of the year? Even as believers, we can be tempted to envy, grumbling, and discontentment in our lives. Like a car with alignment problems, we tend to veer toward discontentment and a lack of gratitude. It is only as we are renewed by God’s Word and Spirit that we can cultivate true contentment. The following resources, curated by the Ligonier editorial team, can help believers grow in gratitude and contentment as we struggle in a fallen world.
Contentment by Melissa Kruger
Scripture frequently calls us to be content. Yet we live in a world that encourages us to covet and consume in ways that are contrary to biblical teaching. In this Ligonier teaching series, Melissa Kruger defines biblical contentment and discusses how to cultivate it in our lives, noting that as we understand and rest in the person and work of Christ, we find ultimate contentment.
The Secret of Contentment by William Barcley
This book takes the writings of Puritans Jeremiah Burroughs and Thomas Watson, presenting their meditations on contentment in an accessible format for a modern audience. Part 1 focuses on pursuing contentment, including discussing its nature and necessity. Part 2 delves into the mystery of contentment, covering topics such as contentment in affliction, longing for heaven, and the contentment of being conformed to the image of Christ.
The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson
This Puritan classic is an exposition of Philippians 4:11, where the Apostle Paul says, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” In this book, Thomas Watson explains the nature of true contentment, as well as gives motives for seeking it and instructions for obtaining it. He also looks at special cases in which discontentment can arise due to changes in providence.
Chasing Contentment by Erik Raymond
We all want to be happy and fulfilled, yet we often find ourselves disappointed with our lives and comparing it to others’ lives. We may wonder if it’s even possible to learn the “secret” of contentment as the Apostle Paul did (Phil. 4:11–13). In this book, Erik Raymond seeks to explain what contentment is and how we can learn to be content, encouraging readers to trust in God no matter the circumstances that come our way.
The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges
In this book, author Jerry Bridges looks at various godly character traits that Christians are to grow in. Chapters are divided into virtues such as humility, joy, holiness, patience, and love. Included in the book are one full chapter covering the topic of contentment, as well as another chapter that discusses thankfulness, allowing readers to learn more about these virtues in a briefer format.