Finding contentment when life lets you down.
Life doesn’t always go the way we hope it will. Whether it’s singleness, childlessness or some other big disappointment, it’s hard to be content when life lets us down.
For many years, author Jennie Pollock has struggled to feel content. With warmth and honesty, she answers common doubts that arise when life doesn't go the way we had hoped: Is God good? Is he enough? Is he worth it?
She walks readers through the process of taking our eyes off the things we wish we had and instead enjoying the character of the God we do have—a God who is good, who meets all our needs, and whose promises are worth the wait.
Drawing on encouragements from the Bible and the stories of others, this book helps readers to trust in God’s plan for their lives and enjoy true contentment through a genuine conviction that Jesus is better than even our most keenly-felt hopes and longings for this life.
Introduction
1. Who before What
2. Is God Good?
3. Is God Enough?
4. Is God Worth It?
5. Practising Contentment
6. Burning Questions
Conclusion: The Secret
| Contributors | Jennie Pollock |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784985554 |
| Format | eBook |
| First published | November 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
If you live long enough, you will be confronted with the crushing disappointment that life in a broken world brings. This presents us with a dilemma: do we run away in bitterness over life’s sorrows or do we run to Jesus for comfort and true contentment? Jennie Pollock understands disappointment and longing and lovingly shows us where lasting peace can be found when life is not what you expected it to be. This book is an encouragement to any who are dealing with their own “if only” questions.
This is a timely message for our generation, filled with the wisdom that comes from living something rather than merely talking about it. Jennie’s meditations on contentment will strengthen anyone wrestling with an ‘if only’ in their Christian life.
This book is for anyone who has ever wondered why God is withholding the very thing their heart desires. I found myself nodding in agreement on every page. Biblical, insightful and immensely helpful.
Through the prism of scripture and the honest telling of her own ‘if only’s’ Jennie guides us through the way of regret and frustration towards contentment and peace. It’s very well done and very poignantly told and I really recommend it.... continue reading
I loved this book. Jennie has written an excellent book to helpful Christians faithfully wrestle with our questions when we feel the life we long for isn’t the life we have?... continue reading
Pollock doesn’t offer cheap bits of advise, or ‘the top 10 tips to be content’. She offers sounds biblical advice that points you to the real source of fulfilment and joy.... continue reading
I needed a book which would encourage me, comfort me and lift my gaze, which it completely did, whilst giving me a kick up the butt into a time of repentance for my lack of trust in God and 'me focused' perspective. Quite annoying really as I was hoping to dwell a little in the 'why me' and 'if only...'
This book is brilliant! I heard an interview with Jennie on TWR and I thought she was funny and very kind hearted. I ordered her book and it's changed my perspective on life and bought me so much closer to God.
I found this very easy to read. The first few chapters were particularly challenging. For me, I have struggled with singleness a lot longer than Jenny. So many of her points I had already worked through many times, only to return to the beginning again! Therefore, if I was expecting a brand new solution, I would be disappointed. However, the number of books that she referred to made me realise that I am not the only one and singleness is not the only issue! There are quite a lot of us out there! I would highly recommend the book. It is probably a book I will return to again.
I picked up If Only last Saturday, thinking to read a few pages and before I knew it, I had read half the book! I ended up finishing it the very next day. I think we all have "if onlys" in our lives - whether we feel we've been denied something big - a spouse, a child, healing, or financial security - or whether it's a combination of small disappointments in life. This book offers hope and presents a warm and biblical call to surrender our longings to Jesus and to find our joy and satisfaction in him. He truly is enough - even in the face of pain and unfulfilled desires. Jennie writes from her own personal experience of dealing with singleness, but I really think this book will speak to every Christian, whatever "if only" you may be carrying. I found Jennie's writing style engaging, easy to read, refreshingly honest and strongly rooted in biblical truth. Also, the true stories of people dealing with various "if onlys" added so much to the book. Jennie addresses the big questions people often ask when experiencing lack and longing: Is God good? Is He enough? Is following Him worth it? I can't recommend this book highly enough. It is a breath of fresh air in our often cynical world and really pointed my heart to Jesus.
Jennie Pollock, is transparent and vulnerable in sharing from her heart her journey of disappointments with God. She includes other people's stories and weaves in scripture to help the reader come to the conclusion that "God is enough" in our struggles with seemingly unanswered prayer. This is a must read for anyone who needs to be reassured that God does hear our prayers and that He does love each and every one of us very much!
