As a lifelong Christian, I've also had lifelong severe asthma and now have a severely disabled child. Throughout my life, I can't count how many people have told me that if I just pray hard enough, I would be healed or that I should "press through my illness and praise God anyway" (as in jump and dance in worship when I could barely breathe). Nor can I count how many people have suggested that my son would be healed if only I prayed hard enough. On that basis, this book by Liz Carter is an absolute gift and spot on. It's clear from her words that she too has struggled with lifelong debilitating illness and has also experience the questions around what people say to her and her own doubts, fears and questions about what a life of faith should look like in the face of this experience. Her words are immensely gentle, vulnerable and wholly refreshing as she demonstrates that it is possible to cling to faith in God despite the most challenging of circumstances and to "catch contentment" in whatever shape is possible. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book and will definitely be purchasing more for church study groups. If you buy just one book on the subject of illness / disability / healing / faith and any link of those subjects, this should be the one.

A really compelling read, on first pick up I read it straight through. It’s accesible, real and full of life giving truth. It’s a journey of encouragement, with fuel for the ride leading you to a place of hope.

This beautiful, sensitively written book turns the world’s understanding of ‘contentment ‘ on its head. I consider myself to be a fairly contented person, but I realise that I have very little cause to be discontented! Equally, I know that this could all change at any time, within a split second, and on what could I then rely? Finding a deep, true contentment within the love of Christ is the only answer and Liz’s book, based around her own life story and the book of Philippians, is an incredibly helpful insight into getting out there and ‘catching contentment’ in amongst the complexities and demands of our modern world. This is a totally captivating read and I can’t recommend it highly enough ❤️

This is a beautiful, rich and compelling book which invites us to reach out for contentment, even when things are hard. Written with wisdom and theological depth, the book gains strength and integrity from the story of the author, who lives with a chronic illness. If she is able to find contentment in her situation, it gives me hope that I might find it in mine, too. A welcome addition to any bookshelf, this would also make a great Christmas gift.

The writer of the Biblical letter to the Philippians, St Paul, claims that he has found the secret to contentment in ‘any and every situation’ and this book gives a comprehensive understanding of the nature of that contentment, together with how we can go about finding it So much more than just a manual however, this is an extremely readable book, full of real life Biblical and more contemporary examples, as well as those drawn from the author’s own life. It doesn’t shy away from the reality that, however strong our faith, life can be full of pain, instead showing how numerous people have found a profound, rich, contentment despite being in horrific circumstances. It also includes some beautifully written poems and prayers which really helped to put into words some of the concepts of the book, and thought-provoking discussion questions at the end of each chapter. One of the things made the biggest impact personally was the fact that you can tell from the writing that the author has battled with these issues in her own circumstances of chronic, life-limiting illness, and no easy answers are given. However, in every page the reader is directed back to God, and how knowing him more deeply can bring true contentment. I honestly don’t know if I have ever read a book which has made God’s love so real to me, and made me desire to know him so much better, while still being a really compelling read. I was caught between wanting to read the whole thing in one go, and wanting to savour it. I was so excited to receive my copy and have just finished reading it for the first time, and I am planning to reread it more slowly now to let it sink in. I am also creating a mental list of people, both with and without a Christian faith, who I think would love to receive this book as a Christmas present!

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!

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.

Liz Carter 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 back 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.

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 and yet 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, and will be more aware of God’s goodness and the value of living life with a grateful and thankful heart.

‘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.