Contentment in the Chaos: What We're Chasing That We Already Have

·47 min·4 clips

A counselor's single word 'contentment' changed Chris Maxwell's perspective after decades of living with brain damage.

Peter Rosenberger hosts Chris Maxwell, a campus pastor and author, to discuss his upcoming book 'Contentment: What You're Searching for Is Already Yours.' Maxwell explains the book originated from a counseling session where his therapist gave him the word 'contentment,' prompting him to research the concept biblically and personally after living with brain damage from encephalitis since 1996. Rosenberger relates this to his own caregiving journey for his wife Gracie, who has undergone 98 surgeries, highlighting her acceptance versus his initial resistance. They examine how modern culture and church environments often foster discontent by emphasizing emotional highs and constant achievement. Maxwell notes that people of all ages, from retirees to college students, feel overwhelmed by societal pressures to perform. The conversation shifts to practical applications, with Rosenberger sharing anecdotes about learning to slow down in Montana and Maxwell discussing strategies like sidebars in his book to help readers practice contentment. They emphasize that contentment is a choice based on trust in God, not passive resignation, and involves appreciating the present moment. Maxwell hopes the book disrupts addiction to distant goals, encouraging readers to notice beauty nearby, like rabbits on a walk. Rosenberger connects this to hymns like 'Praise to the Lord, the Almighty' and 'This Is My Father's World,' underscoring theological foundations. The episode concludes with promotional details for Maxwell's book and resources for caregivers.

As heard by us

A grounded conversation about finding peace in caregiving before circumstances settle.

Contentment is framed as a daily practice for caregivers living with circumstances they cannot control. Peter Roseberger and Chris Maxwell look at the familiar pull to delay peace until surgery is over, a loved one's behavior changes, or the next crisis can be contained.

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Why you'd press play

For when you keep waiting for the surgery, the diagnosis, or the next hard thing to pass before peace can begin.

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