Holy Discontent

"A holy kind of discontent seems to be fertile ground
for God’s prophets." Willimon

Discontent can be a destructive energy that harms one physically, emotionally, and relationally. It may be a symptom of ingratitude or an inability to accept one’s lot in life - of never having “learned to be content whatever the circumstances” Phil. 4:11 It produces joyless living. At its root, one is shaking an angry fist at God, accusing him of failing to come through as one deserves. This kind of discontent is self-centered, cynical, and even vengeful. It is unholy discontent – and an affront to God’s lavish grace.

There is a different kind of discontent. It is holy discontent. Holy discontent drives one towards God. It produces holy people. Holy discontent flows out of an intimate relationship with God and is deeply sensitive to God’s heart for his beloved creation – the human race.

Holy discontent sees human fallenness from God’s perspective. It refuses to whitewash sin or turn a blind eye to anything which assaults God’s character. Holy discontent yearns for God’s gracious blessings on fallen humanity. It is expressed in prayerful weeping and pleading with God, even while rejoicing in the hope of his promises.

Whereas unholy discontent drains spiritual vitality, holy discontent ignites spiritual passion. It is propelled by divine love, which in turn invigorates one to partner with God in the formation of true and vibrant life. Holy discontent is therefore productive - spiritually speaking.

Unholy discontent, on the other hand is unproductive. It refuses to cooperate with God’s lavish grace and mercy – leaving a cold, dead silence. Unholy discontent might also be the driving force behind noisy and pushy evangelistic zeal. Either way, unholy discontent is infertile Christianity.

Do you see why holy discontent is “fertile ground”? It is life-producing. It is fully confident in God’s enduring promise. It lets one quietly wait on the Spirit – even when things look bleak. There is a solid faith here that produces contentment, regardless of the circumstances. With spiritual eyes always watchful and fixed on the bigger hope, this person is always ready to work with God as he leads.

This describes the very kind of holy discontent that inspired the prophetic writings in the Bible -and why they still inspire us today.

See Habukkuk

Diane

Christ alone can satisfy the longings
and yearnings of the soul. No one else
will do !!

Diane,

Thank you for this, I will read Habukkuk tonight.

God bless you,
Lisa

LISA SAID: I will read Habukkuk tonight

I trust you were blessed Lisa. Habukkuk teaches me that God’s purposes and plans are in his hands, and they do not operate according to our own time frame. If I don’t accept that, I will run ahead of God and try to enter the “Promised Land” prematurely. And then when I get walloped, I assume that I am being persecuted for Jesus’s sake – when it is for my own failure to wait upon God.

Habukkuk does not suggest a passive resignation to fate. He teaches us to watch and wait, even when our agony cries out for action - of some kind. This is a life-long process of dying to self. We do not work FOR God, but WITH God.

Perhaps one of our biggest challenges during these days of rising evil is to learn what it means to put on the Spiritual Armour of God – such as the shield of faith.

“… but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness” Hab. 2:4

Diane

"We do not work For God, but With God". Even to the folding of laundry, or the washing of dishes, or the changing of oil in our car, or the speech etc . . .

Amen.