A Godly Discontent

I’ve been bouncing around a phrase today: "Godly discontent makes room for growth." If there were no discontent there would be no ushering for growth. If we were always satisfied, there would be no reason to change. If there was no feeling of being unsettled I would stay where I am. However, it is discontent that can move us to better things. I sought that promotion because I am no longer challenged or satisfied with my current position. I’m going back to school so, I can move ahead in life. Discontent is not unbiblical. It is also a natural process of life.

Yesterday my 17 month old finally started walking. Something in her finally clicked. Something in her finally became so discontent with crawling that she walked. If there were no push to move ahead, we would all still be in diapers and crawling to get places. It sounds laughable, but there is something programmed within us to change because we no longer want to stay where we are and/or it’s uncomfortable. This is God given I believe. God has programmed us to long for growth. A desire to not be satisfied staying the same. However we live in a sinful, fallen world, so as a result there is now a pull to complacency over growth.

1. Discontent can come when it’s time to move towards our destiny.

The Israelites were not meant to be slaves. When God spoke those promises to Abraham He didn’t say “I’ve called you to be a great nation of slaves.” No, God said He would make them as numerous as the stars and he would be the father of many nations. (Genesis 12, 17, 22) The Israelites realized Egypt wasn’t and shouldn’t be their destiny. From that realization came a cry out to God. That cry out to God set everything in motion. God sent Moses as an answer to their cry. (Exodus 3) The same for the book of Judges. Israel would be oppressed by another nation for years. They would reach a level of discontent and cry out to God. God would send a deliverer.

When I was working as a CNA (certified nurse aide), I originally loved my job. I had worked in daycares, retail, and food service prior. Now I had transitioned to health care and I finally felt I was in the field I should be. The pay and job prospects were leaps above what I was used to. At my first job as a CNA, I diligently worked 2nd shift on a locked dementia unit. It was great. I felt fulfilled. I was helping people and really making a difference. Then discontent came. I tried switching shifts, floors, and eventually jobs. Yet again, after a short time, that feeling of discontent popped back up. Finally as I really sought God out I got an answer. He brought me back to a prophetic word I had received in 2001. It was that I was to become a nurse. Now it’s 2010. I always dismissed that word about being a nurse. That lady got it wrong! Now 9 years later my discontent stirred me towards what I ran from. In 2011 I finally enrolled in nursing school and got my LPN. God stirred me to discontent, but it wasn’t until I sought Him that I identified the issue and yielded towards the solution. If there’s an unsettledness in your spirit or soul bring it to God. He will show you.

2. Complacency will talk you out of destiny.

When the children of Israel left Egypt they camped at Rephidim. (Exodus 17) There was no water there. They cried out against Moses and referenced they should have stayed in Egypt. God used Moses and water came from a rock. They were able to continue on their journey to the Promised Land.

Complacency will say “let’s go back” when things get difficult. Complacency will even say “Why bother trying?” At the first sign of trouble the Israelites wanted to return to Egypt. Really? Return to bondage? The return to the known seemed less scary than the unknown. When you allow God to answer your discontent and start to move towards the next leg of the journey, it can be scary. It may even seem like it was a mistake. “I know this job, I’ve done it for 20 years. Why start over?” Complacency always highlights the “what ifs” and raises tons of questions, but it never has any answers. Complacency will examine “What if I fail?”, but faith in God will answer back “What if I don’t!” Answer complacency with faith in God.

3. Ignoring Godly discontent can lead to bitterness and regret.

When you know there was something you should have done and you encounter someone who already has, it’s like twisting the knife. When I would see a nurse before I yielded, I’d feel that little knife twist. It was that unpleasant reminder of unfinished business. I’d sometimes feel jealousy, anger, even some hate. It had nothing to do with what they’ve done and everything with what I hadn’t done. I was reminded of where my fear and complacency left me. I now had regrets. Complacency left me bitter not better. It left me with temporary comfort, but didn’t remove the discontent or solve my problem. Only God can take that away. If you’ve ignored the call of God to do something, only God can wash that guilt and regret away. All it takes is confession that we missed the mark. Maybe that’s the end of the story. Maybe the window for the opportunity is closed or maybe God wants to redesign and reopen the window. Again, bring it to God and He will show you.

4. Discontent can mature us.

There have been times I’ve felt discontent where I am spiritually. I got to a place where I didn’t feel I was growing, or was where I could be. That discontent bothered me enough to do something. I started to read my bible a little more, pray a little more, worship a little more. I started to make steps to advance my relationship with God. In Hebrews 5, it talks about Christians needing milk verses solid food. 1 Corinthians 13:11 talks about putting away childish things and growing. There are stages in our spiritual walk just like there are in life. We aren’t born 30 year old adults. We start out as babies and develop. God wants us growing, learning, and maturing. He may use a stirring of discontent in our spirit that leads us to mature.

Currently, I feel discontent. At first I felt guilty for that feeling. I seriously thought for a moment I needed to repent. I was thinking about Philippians 4 which talks about always being content and how I was moving in opposition to that scripture. But I brought my concerns and fears, and even guilt to God. He graciously revealed to me why I was feeling what I felt. For me, it was to start praying over a specific area and season in my life. God was using discontent to tell me “Hey. It’s time to move on. You can’t stay here. This season is over.”

Additionally one of my initial thoughts on my own discontent was, to just choke this feeling down and hope it goes away. God doesn’t want us to do that. If discontent is moving in your life it may be from God. It may be God designed. God may be working through discontent to move you towards your destiny, the next season of life, or grow spiritually. Things that make us uncomfortable aren’t always bad. God has never promised us a life of comfort, but He did tell us our steps are ordered. (Ps 37:23) God may be using discontent to order your steps. Embrace it and grow.