#struggles: Part 1 - "Contentment" with Craig Groeschel - LifeChurch.tv

The Secret of Contentment in a Selfie-Centered World

Scripture References

Primary text

• Philippians 4:12-13
• 2 Corinthians 10:12

Other references

• James 3:14
• James 3:16
• Proverbs 15:15
• Ecclesiastes 6:9

Overview

Craig Groeschel opens the five-week series “#Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World” by exposing how social media intensifies discontentment and envy. While we scroll through everyone else’s “highlight reels,” we can start to despise our own behind-the-scenes reality. Paul’s words from prison in Philippians 4 reveal the antidote: true contentment is found only in Christ. With His strength we can kill comparisons and cultivate gratitude, turning every day into a continual feast of God’s goodness.

Context

• Social media is valuable, but its unintended downside is that it clashes with biblical values.
• The series will tackle five struggles birthed by technology: contentment, intimacy, authenticity, compassion, and rest.
• Today’s focus is the first struggle—discontentment and envy.

Main Points

1. Why discontentment is skyrocketing

• Never before have people possessed so much yet wanted so much more.
• Social media presents filtered perfection; we compare it to our unfiltered reality.
  • Illustration: Two moms admitted hating each other’s posts—one envied the Pinterest crafts, the other envied the adult interaction of a working mom.
  • Lean Cuisine vs. lobster, Hostess snacks vs. gym selfies, follower counts and “likes” are modern scoreboards for popularity.
• A university study showed one-third of students felt depressed after 30 minutes on Facebook—envy was the chief emotion.

2. The secret Paul learned

“I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.”

• Written while chained to a Roman guard, Philippians 4:12-13 reveals contentment is independent of circumstances.
• “Until Christ is all you have, you’ll never recognize that Christ is all you need.”
• We carry a Christ-shaped void; without Him we will always crave something more.

3. Two Spirit-powered responses

a. Kill comparisons

• 2 Corinthians 10:12—comparing ourselves is “not wise.”
  • Story: Junior-high Craig felt on top of the world with a moped—until Brian showed up with a motorcycle and stole Tiffany’s attention. First taste of being crushed by comparison.
• James 3:14-16 brands envy as earthly, unspiritual, and demonic; it breeds “every evil practice.”
• Practical helps: take social media fasts, hide triggering feeds, cancel catalogs, delete shopping apps, avoid shows that stir jealousy.
• Celebrating others’ blessings purifies the heart and may remove barriers to God’s own blessing.

b. Cultivate gratitude

• Proverbs 15:15—despondent people see trouble every day; “for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”
• Envy is “resenting God’s goodness in someone else’s life and ignoring God’s goodness in your own.”
• Solomon’s counsel (Ecclesiastes 6:9): “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t.”
  • Re-frame complaints: “I hate my car” → “Thank You that I have transportation.”
  • “I’m so busy” → “Thank You for a family, friends, and meaningful work.”
• Craig’s dad models this perspective: after a stroke he says, “I’m living in extra innings—life is good.”

Key Truths

• Discontentment thrives on comparison; comparison is a choice we can kill.
• Contentment is rooted in Christ, not in circumstances or possessions.
• Envy is spiritually dangerous—Scripture calls it earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.
• A grateful heart turns ordinary days into a continual feast of God’s goodness.
• Celebrating others’ success frees us to experience God’s best in our own lives.

Response

• Fast from or limit apps, feeds, and shows that fuel envy.
• Hide or unfollow accounts that trigger comparison.
• Speak gratitude aloud for three everyday blessings before opening social media.
• Celebrate someone else’s win this week with a sincere text, call, or post.
• Memorize Philippians 4:12-13 and pray it whenever discontentment surfaces.

Closing

Discontentment is not merely a modern inconvenience; Scripture calls it demonic and destructive. Yet the same Christ who strengthened Paul in a prison cell empowers us today. As we kill comparisons and cultivate gratitude, we discover that when Christ is all we have, He truly is all we need.