Being Content in a Troubled World

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Can we Christians learn to be content in a world that constantly says we need better relationships, more money, and material possessions to be happy? Can we conquer negative emotions like jealousy, materialism, and feelings of deprivation? It is possible to achieve happiness and peace of mind, but we need to actively seek them.

A Look at The Apostle Paul’s experiences

The apostle Paul went through many terrible trials. He describes his experiences in 2 Corinthians 11:23–28 as:

• “I have … been in prison more frequently
• been flogged more severely
• and been exposed to death again and again
• Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one
• Three times I was beaten with rods
• once I was pelted with stones
• three times I was shipwrecked
• I spent a night and a day in the open sea
• I have been in danger from rivers
• In danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles
• in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea, and in danger from false believers
• I have labored and toiled and have often gone…