A host testifies about wanting an iPod for a long time, then feeling uneasy when his wife tried to buy him a red one at the mall with their large tax refund -- so he put it back. Since then he feels God has blessed their finances in unrelated ways: a job promotion, a student-loan letter saying stop paying, and a random hundred-dollar Quest refund. The lesson: material things are not important, and saying no to yourself is rare in a credit-card culture -- though he jokes about 'tens of thousands of iPods in heaven.'
More on Contentment
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Should following Jesus feel more comfortable as time goes on?
- Should following Jesus feel more comfortable as time goes on?
A host asks whether following Jesus should feel more comfortable as time goes on — noting the low-level tension many feel around am-I-doing-enough and the stigma that contentment equals laziness.
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Dear LFTP: how do I end the holiday newsletter?
- Is there any way to end a family member's holiday newsletter that makes the reader depressed with envy?
A listener in their sixties dreads a family member's annual braggy Christmas newsletter of accomplishments, expensive trips, and photos, and asks whether there's any way to end it — asking the hosts to tell everyone to stop with holiday newsletters.
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The satisfaction exercise
- What does it actually take for me to feel satisfied?
A host proposes an exercise: honestly write down what it takes for you to feel satisfied, then check how much of the list is shallow.
From No. 402 · It’s OK to Stay Home
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Dear LFTP: the self-talking, complaining coworker
- How can I get my constantly complaining friend to enjoy our daily walk instead of moaning about her job?
A listener walks daily with a friend who complains about her job nonstop and asks how to get her to enjoy the break instead of moaning for 20 minutes.