What do you think?
Rate this book
Catching Contentment: How To Be Holy Satisfied
If anyone has a right to feel angry with life, then the author is a strong candidate. Having battled with lung disease from a young age, suffered at the hands of bullies, and, reluctantly, given up her much-loved teaching job, she has plenty to complain about.
But she has made a point of exploring contentment. She has drawn particularly on Paul's letter to the Philippians. 'Contentment is something we can all catch hold of,' she believes, 'whatever circumstances we find ourselves in.'
This is a message which we need to hear, whether we are lifelong sufferers, like the author, or facing deprivation or injustice of another sort. Or we may simply have fallen into bad habits. We cannot fail to be uplifted, and hopefully transformed, by the author's discoveries as we learn to buck trends within society and the church.
Introduction
Confident contentment
1 Confident in our faith
2 Confident in our meaning and purpose
3 Confident in our identity and calling
4 Confident in our future
Courageous contentment
5 Courage is active
6 Courage is acceptance
7 Courageous is brokenness
8 Courage in the Word
9 Courageous disappointment
10 Courageous lament
11 Courage is pressing on
12 Courageous contentment in action
Captivated contentment
13 Captivated by glory
14 Captivated by surrender
15 Captivated satisfaction
16 Captivated by yearning
17 Captivated by infinite love
18 Captivated by discipline
19 Captivated in the dark night
Contagious contentment
20 Contagious unity
21 Jesus - the greatest example of contagious contentment
- GenresNonfictionChristianFaith
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2018
10 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Liz Carter
7 books26 followersLiz Carter is the author of Treasure in Dark Places (Capstone House, 2020) and Catching Contentment (IVP, 2018). A six session Bible study course based around Catching Contentment is available. She's also written a six week Bible study guide based around the live action film 'Beauty and the Beast', A Tale of Beauty from Ashes
Liz lives in Shropshire with her family. She likes to write around issues of faith and suffering, from the point of view of living with lifelong chronic disease.
Liz lives in Shropshire with her family. She likes to write around issues of faith and suffering, from the point of view of living with lifelong chronic disease.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 12, 2018
What an inspiring and uplifting book! The kind of book that makes you wonder what you whinge about, when others have had so much to deal with, yet manage to live life with such grace and acceptance.
And yet this is not a depressing book, focussed on one person’s (the author’s) difficult journey. Liz Carter leaves a trail of hope in every chapter, pointing the reader to the bigger picture and a God who understands and reaches out to us in our pain. There is never a feeling of indulgent self-pity, despite her long-term chronic lung condition, but she allows us in to catch glimpses of her at her most honest and vulnerable. Then she packs a punch with her expressions of joy and faith in God’s continued goodness, and in lessons learned along the way.
Her writing style is lyrical and beautiful, with profound Biblical insights drawn from her own experience, and she manages to bring a positive conclusion to even the most heart-rending topics.
I can guarantee that you’ll finish this book with keys in your hand for how to feel more contented, more aware of God’s goodness, and more aware of the value of living life with a grateful and thankful heart.
November 12, 2018
I would thoroughly recommend this book. Liz explains that she has a progressive lung disease and as a result she spends a lot of time in pain and with infections. She uses this reality and the book of Philippians to offer an insightful and challenging exploration of what contentment is and how to find it in different areas of our lives. It is a must read if you are facing a difficult situation right now, even if you are not it will help prepare you for when you do!
February 23, 2020
‘In my starkest pain I held on to confidence in the Lord, and discovered that confidence to be a bedrock to contentment.’
Once in a while a book comes along that surpasses anything you have read in a very long time, this is one of those books! Liz Carter lives with a progressive lung condition that has deeply impacted her life. She is in constant physical pain and yet by deciding to explore where God is in her suffering she has managed to find Godly contentment within her earthly constraints. Liz draws on Paul’s letters in this vulnerable, honest book and teaches us how to find contentment in all circumstances. It is beautifully written, uplifting and packed full of profound wisdom and biblical truth. This is a soul stirring book and I guarantee it will leave you changed for the better.
Once in a while a book comes along that surpasses anything you have read in a very long time, this is one of those books! Liz Carter lives with a progressive lung condition that has deeply impacted her life. She is in constant physical pain and yet by deciding to explore where God is in her suffering she has managed to find Godly contentment within her earthly constraints. Liz draws on Paul’s letters in this vulnerable, honest book and teaches us how to find contentment in all circumstances. It is beautifully written, uplifting and packed full of profound wisdom and biblical truth. This is a soul stirring book and I guarantee it will leave you changed for the better.
November 13, 2018
This book is a result of a journey Liz went on to explore what contentment really means. Liz explored contentment as described by Paul in his letter to the Philippian Church. Within the pages of her book, we read how true contentment is only found in Jesus and can be experienced despite our trials and suffering.
Her book is divided into four sections: Confident Contentment; Courageous Contentment; Captivated Contentment and Contagious Contentment.
Each chapter ends with a beautiful prayer. Sometimes it's not easy to know how to pray or what to say – especially when going through struggles. I think any reader will appreciate these prayers and they can make them their own if they wish.
There is also a section at the end of each chapter to encourage the reader to take some time for personal reflection. This is important if a book is not only going to be read but is also going to change the lives of its readers.
In her conclusion, she gives the reader the challenge that once they have caught contentment for themselves and found it to be so much better than they could ever have imagined, it’s time to throw it to others, that they too might catch contentment and experience for themselves all that it means.
In her book, Liz includes her personal story which is touching and very moving. She has suffered all her life from a rare lung disease with her lungs slowly deteriorating over the years. She writes with such openness and honesty about her struggles, but never once does it feel like these things define her. You do however get the sense that she is defined by who she is – a child of God. I connected with what she has written and I believe others will too, because we all face difficulties, trials, suffering in one form or another. I also liked that she included examples from the experiences of others. It shows the reader that he/she is not on their own and that there is hope.
Liz has a way of writing which makes for easy reading whilst at the same time giving us deep truths to think on. She writes clearly and simply which means the reader doesn't have to work hard to understand what they are reading.
I think this book is great for either the individual reader or for a small group or book club to go through together. People can read a chapter at home and then come together to discuss and share what they have learned.
There was so much in each chapter which spoke to me that I couldn’t possibly choose which chapter I liked best. I will, however, say that from a personal point of view, I do believe Chapter 11, written about the dark night of the soul, was such an important chapter to include.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I am sure that anyone who chooses to read this book will be blessed by it as I have been. This book is for you, whether you are male or female, whatever your age and wherever you are at in your own spiritual journey.
Her book is divided into four sections: Confident Contentment; Courageous Contentment; Captivated Contentment and Contagious Contentment.
Each chapter ends with a beautiful prayer. Sometimes it's not easy to know how to pray or what to say – especially when going through struggles. I think any reader will appreciate these prayers and they can make them their own if they wish.
There is also a section at the end of each chapter to encourage the reader to take some time for personal reflection. This is important if a book is not only going to be read but is also going to change the lives of its readers.
In her conclusion, she gives the reader the challenge that once they have caught contentment for themselves and found it to be so much better than they could ever have imagined, it’s time to throw it to others, that they too might catch contentment and experience for themselves all that it means.
In her book, Liz includes her personal story which is touching and very moving. She has suffered all her life from a rare lung disease with her lungs slowly deteriorating over the years. She writes with such openness and honesty about her struggles, but never once does it feel like these things define her. You do however get the sense that she is defined by who she is – a child of God. I connected with what she has written and I believe others will too, because we all face difficulties, trials, suffering in one form or another. I also liked that she included examples from the experiences of others. It shows the reader that he/she is not on their own and that there is hope.
Liz has a way of writing which makes for easy reading whilst at the same time giving us deep truths to think on. She writes clearly and simply which means the reader doesn't have to work hard to understand what they are reading.
I think this book is great for either the individual reader or for a small group or book club to go through together. People can read a chapter at home and then come together to discuss and share what they have learned.
There was so much in each chapter which spoke to me that I couldn’t possibly choose which chapter I liked best. I will, however, say that from a personal point of view, I do believe Chapter 11, written about the dark night of the soul, was such an important chapter to include.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I am sure that anyone who chooses to read this book will be blessed by it as I have been. This book is for you, whether you are male or female, whatever your age and wherever you are at in your own spiritual journey.
November 14, 2018
A most wonderful book that has had a profound effect upon me. I wanted to read it in the first place because the title drew me powerfully. The words 'contentment' and 'holy satisfied' reached into a place of deep longing for fulness and reality in my own life. I started reading and haven't been able to put it down! The author, Liz Carter takes us on a journey of discovery that at times can be quite searching, even painful yet immensely healing and faith enhancing. It is the journey to make real what true contentment means, the contentment that comes from being unconditionally loved by God, knowing He is always with us and that we can be utterly real with Him. I found that its mix of Liz's personal story, deep Bible teaching, illumination from other literary sources, and powerful reflections and prayers challenged, inspired and deeply moved me. Liz has suffered all her life from a crippling lung disease and is in constant pain. She has been robbed of so much by this illness yet to me what defines Liz is not her suffering but her passion for God and her love of His Word and desire for His presence. This is what challenges me in her book and makes me long to be a 'catcher of contentment' like she is.
I totally recommend Catching Contentment as a life changing resource for personal transformation and growth and also as a wonderful tool to study in small groups. It will not fail to draw us closer to a life of 'holy satisfaction'
I totally recommend Catching Contentment as a life changing resource for personal transformation and growth and also as a wonderful tool to study in small groups. It will not fail to draw us closer to a life of 'holy satisfaction'
November 13, 2018
Sometimes a book falls into your hands and you begin reading it at a time when it will have the most impact on you. That is what happened to me with Catching Contentment by Liz Carter. Oh how I needed to read her wise words, and oh how they lifted my spirit!!
Ms. Carter is no stranger to chronic illness, pain and suffering, yet she does not let that define her. Rather, she chooses to define herself as God defines her, a beloved child of God who will never face anything alone and who is blessed beyond measure. She shows us how we can catch (choose) contentment, no matter what our circumstances, if we only rely on the ever-constant presence of God.
This woman has known so much darkness, that anyone struggling with dark periods of their own will find her easy to relate to. Her wisdom is present throughout, and her prayers are beautiful, heartfelt and meaningful.
I highly recommend this excellent read!
I am so thankful that NetGalley and IVP provided me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Ms. Carter is no stranger to chronic illness, pain and suffering, yet she does not let that define her. Rather, she chooses to define herself as God defines her, a beloved child of God who will never face anything alone and who is blessed beyond measure. She shows us how we can catch (choose) contentment, no matter what our circumstances, if we only rely on the ever-constant presence of God.
This woman has known so much darkness, that anyone struggling with dark periods of their own will find her easy to relate to. Her wisdom is present throughout, and her prayers are beautiful, heartfelt and meaningful.
I highly recommend this excellent read!
I am so thankful that NetGalley and IVP provided me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
November 13, 2018
An Awe Inspiring Read!
Liz has created a beautifully written, sensitive and accessible book that cannot fail to be uplifting and inspiring to anyone reading it!
I chose to read it because the title ‘ Catching Contentment, how to be holy satisfied’ intrigued me and led me to want to know more. At my time of life I still,
like many I guess, do not feel holy satisfied - the illusive feather of contentment is still floating just out of reach!
One of the key strengths of this exciting study is how courageous Liz is to bare her vulnerability and suffering so that others can learn from what it has taught her. My copy has many highlighted paragraphs and quotes and notes in the margin, because it oozes with inspirational insights gleaned from reaching deep inside to catch a deeply rooted contentment that can only come from God.
I shall be delving into this book over and over again as there is still so much for me to digest and learn from. I love the carefully selected quotes she uses from the bible to support each chapter and the beautifully crafted and thoughtful prayers she has created at each chapter’s end, but most of all, the questions she poses throughout for me to ponder on are making me rethink aspects of my life, my beliefs and my understanding.
November 13, 2018
Best Christian book I've read all year. A wake-up call to Western Christians who, despite what we know to be true about God, struggle to find our peace and contentment in Him rather than in money, relationships, success or good health.
Liz is like a wise friend, very endearing and easy to read, but her challenges hit hard and make you think. Her own story is powerful and moving, but I never felt judged while reading this book - quite the opposite, like she is in this struggle too, and wants to share what she's learnt.
Brilliant!
Liz is like a wise friend, very endearing and easy to read, but her challenges hit hard and make you think. Her own story is powerful and moving, but I never felt judged while reading this book - quite the opposite, like she is in this struggle too, and wants to share what she's learnt.
Brilliant!
January 17, 2019
I am very picky about books. I give very few five stars - but this book is a worthy recipient. It is a gem, a treasure, and I would wholeheartedly recommend that every Christian read it! Here contains the truth that contentment is not based on our wholeness, but on God's holiness.
Three years ago we followed God's call and moved our family to help with the pioneering of a new church. It did not work out as we'd imagined, and we got very hurt in the aftermath. Three months after moving, my mum was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer; we were suddenly four hours away. Both children developed mental health problems and were diagnosed with high-functioning autism, ADHD and severe anxiety. With our son unable to attend school, I consequently had to give up my job, and found being at home with no friends locally desperately difficult. The health conditions I was struggling with magnified. We had lost our entire support network and couldn't financially afford to move back. My husband was forced to sell his beloved camper van, ending any hopes of future holidays, and stripping me of access to driving a vehicle. After my mum's death, our family was torn apart by the contesting of her will and we were plunged into a devastating legal battle which still goes on. Now we had lost not only most of our friends, but most of our family too.
Yet I believe that God has not finished with me yet. He has been taking us on a journey, not to break us, but to draw us closer into His heart. This book is profound, and solidifies many of the things I have learnt through travelling this hard road. I saw how beautiful my life still was, and realised that if I never made another friend, God has blessed me so much in the ones He's already given me; even if they are far away, I have such a heart connection with them that is truly a gift.
Thank you Liz for writing this beautiful book. It is inspiring, convicting, uplifting: full of hope and truth. I shall be buying more copies to have ready to give away to anybody who needs to hear this important and wonderful message.
Three years ago we followed God's call and moved our family to help with the pioneering of a new church. It did not work out as we'd imagined, and we got very hurt in the aftermath. Three months after moving, my mum was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer; we were suddenly four hours away. Both children developed mental health problems and were diagnosed with high-functioning autism, ADHD and severe anxiety. With our son unable to attend school, I consequently had to give up my job, and found being at home with no friends locally desperately difficult. The health conditions I was struggling with magnified. We had lost our entire support network and couldn't financially afford to move back. My husband was forced to sell his beloved camper van, ending any hopes of future holidays, and stripping me of access to driving a vehicle. After my mum's death, our family was torn apart by the contesting of her will and we were plunged into a devastating legal battle which still goes on. Now we had lost not only most of our friends, but most of our family too.
Yet I believe that God has not finished with me yet. He has been taking us on a journey, not to break us, but to draw us closer into His heart. This book is profound, and solidifies many of the things I have learnt through travelling this hard road. I saw how beautiful my life still was, and realised that if I never made another friend, God has blessed me so much in the ones He's already given me; even if they are far away, I have such a heart connection with them that is truly a gift.
Thank you Liz for writing this beautiful book. It is inspiring, convicting, uplifting: full of hope and truth. I shall be buying more copies to have ready to give away to anybody who needs to hear this important and wonderful message.
February 20, 2019
Readers of my blog will definitely want to check out Liz Carter's book. Liz recently wrote an excellent blog post here on her experience of fighting for contentment while being chronically ill, so you can check out her writing and story. You may also be interested to know that my story and books are featured heavily in a couple of her chapters!
I was very pleased to write an endorsement for it:
"Not a quick fix or cheap answers for shiny happy people, Carter invites us into a compelling journey of fiercely pursuing God, even when we are wearied by disappointment and loss. As someone who also struggles with chronic illness, I found empathy, hope and spiritual sustenance.
"Biblically anchored, persuasively written theology, Catching Contentment is a must-read for any Christian who wrestles with a nagging desire for something more."
I was very pleased to write an endorsement for it:
"Not a quick fix or cheap answers for shiny happy people, Carter invites us into a compelling journey of fiercely pursuing God, even when we are wearied by disappointment and loss. As someone who also struggles with chronic illness, I found empathy, hope and spiritual sustenance.
"Biblically anchored, persuasively written theology, Catching Contentment is a must-read for any Christian who wrestles with a nagging desire for something more."
April 23, 2019
This is an amazing book about a little covered subject - contentment, in a world of discontent. It is very readable but also very challenging as the author, Liz Carter, takes her own situation of long-term
lung disease and manages to find a deep inner joy in life despite her circumstances. She is often confined to her bed or home and yet finds a deep satisfaction and joy in her faith in God. This challenged me, in much less trying circumstances, to look at my own life more deeply. At the end of each chapter, Liz also invites us to study the scripural passages she has been dwelling on in a much deeper way for ourselves in order to let them and their teaching sink deeper into our lives. Recommended.
lung disease and manages to find a deep inner joy in life despite her circumstances. She is often confined to her bed or home and yet finds a deep satisfaction and joy in her faith in God. This challenged me, in much less trying circumstances, to look at my own life more deeply. At the end of each chapter, Liz also invites us to study the scripural passages she has been dwelling on in a much deeper way for ourselves in order to let them and their teaching sink deeper into our lives. Recommended.
November 18, 2018
In Philippians 4:12 Paul wrote that he learnt the secret of being content in all situations. But can we? When swamped with heavy burdens, through suffering, bereavement, in a vicious cycle of despair, chronic illness? Well this author writes from experience through her progressive lung disease, she is very open on what she goes through and clearly from reading the book, she learnt to reach out to God through scripture to reach contentment as Paul did. Through this journey the author has turned this deep biblical understanding into this book that is easy to read, and clearly a God given gift that she has shared this talent to reach out to others so we can also find contentment our own difficult lifes. Each page is saturated in God's love that guides us to find peace far from that the world can do. At the end of each chapter is a reflection and prayer that I found very useful. Now I have read it all straight through (couldn't put the book down) I will go back and read again and again. I think this is the best Christian book I've read, I highly recommend this book, life changing!
November 16, 2018
If you’re not satisfied to let your pain and fears leave you with resentment and despair, then read this book. Liz has learnt the hard way how to find a contentment that is deeper and stronger than the kind of happiness that is just for show. She shares her personal understanding of the experience of pain and how we can respond in our brokenness that leads us into God’s embrace rather than feeling abandoned by God. She digs deep into the bible to ground her understanding. She gently leads the reader to discover how we can deal with our pain, such as the importance of lament and how to do this without dishonouring God. I found it moving, reassuring and full of practical wisdom and truth.
February 23, 2019
A great example
Catching Contentment came recommended by some friends and the recommendation was worth it. Liz writes as an open example of contentment, littering her writing with prayers, and an earthy testimony of life in God's presence. An encouragement to find out all in Jesus, and the life-changing, world-altering benefits of this contentment .
Catching Contentment came recommended by some friends and the recommendation was worth it. Liz writes as an open example of contentment, littering her writing with prayers, and an earthy testimony of life in God's presence. An encouragement to find out all in Jesus, and the life-changing, world-altering benefits of this contentment .
March 14, 2019
This was an excellent, insightful read, challenging and encouraging wrapped together. Liz Carter writes about contentment provocatively, prophetically and passionately with a big dose of reality, bringing her faith and ongoing health limitations into the picture. Well worth reading.
July 31, 2019
Not my favourite Christian living books but it was okay!
There were some good points and I liked how she used many examples from Scripture.
But it wasn't as impacting as I had expected.
There were some good points and I liked how she used many examples from Scripture.
But it wasn't as impacting as I had expected.
April 30, 2019
Having had the pleasure of meeting the author, Liz Carter, at a conference shortly after reading her book, I can vouch for the fact that the faith and contentment she writes about is very evident to see in her person. Despite being born with a painful and debilitating disease, she radiates the love of God!
‘We don’t need to find ourselves because we’re already found,’ she writes.
Nevertheless, as Liz portrays, there are times when we hide behind a mask, responding ‘I’m fine’ rather than admitting to illness. And others when we may feel we’re letting people down when they pray for us and we remain unhealed. And yet more when Job’s comforters convey a message that it’s our lack of faith that is at fault.
Later, quoting C.S.Lewis, Liz writes about his attitude towards praise while an atheist, and how that changed when he came to faith. Realising that praising God was neither self-serving arrogance on the part of the Lord, nor merely an act of obedience in his followers, he discovered the joy of doing so, describing it as ‘Drunk with, drowned in, dissolved by that delight.’ This, says Liz, is what being captivated by contentment is all about. Read this book and learn how you can go about Catching Contentment.
‘We don’t need to find ourselves because we’re already found,’ she writes.
Nevertheless, as Liz portrays, there are times when we hide behind a mask, responding ‘I’m fine’ rather than admitting to illness. And others when we may feel we’re letting people down when they pray for us and we remain unhealed. And yet more when Job’s comforters convey a message that it’s our lack of faith that is at fault.
Later, quoting C.S.Lewis, Liz writes about his attitude towards praise while an atheist, and how that changed when he came to faith. Realising that praising God was neither self-serving arrogance on the part of the Lord, nor merely an act of obedience in his followers, he discovered the joy of doing so, describing it as ‘Drunk with, drowned in, dissolved by that delight.’ This, says Liz, is what being captivated by contentment is all about. Read this book and learn how you can go about Catching Contentment.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews