Some time ago, I read the following in an e-mail (author unknown) – “When I look at myself, I see how desperately I need to change. When I look at the Church, I see how desperately we all need to change. And I’m so hungry for that change, I can hardly stand it. I do thank God for what He’s done. I am grateful for it. But I can’t be satisfied because we’re still so far short of all He has for us.” Then I read the following quote from Charles Crismier: “Is your frustration building? Pursuit of Christian unity is hitting a wall. Programs, Gospel gimmicks, and compromise; even prayer are failing to yield true community. Cries for Christian unity have defined much of the public expression of the church over the last two decades. Calls, conferences, and commitments to racial reconciliation have played a significant role in the current yearning for unity.”
Divine Discontent Meaning
Pastors and Parishioners at Risk: From George Barna of Virtual America
See The State of Pastors report here.
- Fifty-five percent of non-Christian Americans believe it is getting harder and harder to make lasting friendships.
- Sixty-two percent of “born-again” Christians claim it is getting hard to make lasting friendships.
- Seventy-three percent of “evangelical” Christians are finding it difficult to make real friends.
Oh, my goodness, these stats are from 2023. I can only imagine what the stats are today.
Here’s one more quote before we jump into the meat of this discussion, from Chip Brogden:
“Getting everything we need from the Lord actually means when we do interact with others, we can support, help, encourage, and give ourselves away to them without expecting or needing anything in return. Having God as our Source strengthens our relationships with others and puts them (and us) in a much better position: one where we can truly get out of our own world, focus on others, and make better use of the opportunities all around us for really building each other up.”
Sadly, we’re seeing individuals and churches as a whole struggle to stay true to sound doctrine and Biblical principles. With all the chaos in the world, it’s imperative that we as believers be well-grounded in the Scriptures and our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
What Can We Do?
Before we discuss what we can do, let me address what I just said above. To put the above statements into one phrase, I would call it “divine discontent.” In recent weeks and months, I’ve spoken with several believers from all walks of life, from various denominations, all sharing this uneasiness they’re feeling in their spirit.
There is a sense of what’s next? Do I really have a purpose? Am I really as close to the Lord as I think I am? Some are even finding it difficult to find a church home because it’s hard to find a place with sound doctrine or that doesn’t incorporate a lot of unbiblical practices.
So, what is one to do when in a season of divine discontent? As much as I said I was not going to do this article with an acronym, here I go. I believe the answer to our question of what to do can be found in the word “focus.”
Feed on Truth
As we are intentional in feeding our spirit man by strengthening our relationship with Jesus and staying strong in the word of God, we’ll be able to remain focused on the hope that is found only in Jesus. See Romans 15:13 and Hebrews 4:12:
- Romans 15:13: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
- Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Occupy
It is imperative that we keep our lives focused on the things of the Kingdom of God and not get caught up in the distractions of the world and our flesh. I see so many today distracted with things that are not always bad, but they’re taking all their time away from the things of God. There are people all around us just looking for a word of encouragement. Let’s be the person God uses to do that. See 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Corinthians 4:12, and Luke 19:13:
- 1 Peter 4:10: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:12: “And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:”
- Luke 19:13: “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”
The word manifold in the Greek in 1 Peter 4:10 means multi, like faceted like a diamond. In other words, the grace God puts upon us is not only beautiful but also able to cover various areas of life, giftings, and needs.
Community
Make sure the primary community you get your fellowship and counsel from is your church community/family. At the same time, we cannot neglect the community around us. We are called to be a witness to them wherever we go. See Hebrews 10:24-25:
- Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
The word provoke in the Greek carries the idea of being so strong in our encouragement that it’s like being irritable. Now that doesn’t give you permission to go irritate people. Just saying how strongly we should be willing to encourage and strengthen those around us.
Understand
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what is going on around you or in your life personally. Ask Him to show you the Biblical steps to take. See James 1:5 and 1 Chronicles 12:32:
- James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
- 1 Chronicles 12:32: “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.”
Seek (Study and Serve)
I would really like to use three words here. So, I will cover all three: seek, study, and serve by sharing a Scripture about each one. See Matthew 6:33, 2 Timothy 2:15, and Colossians 3:12:
- Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
- 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
- Colossians 3:12: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”
There You Have It
Focus, occupy, community, understand, and seek. How can we pull this all together? First, know that there will be seasons of discontent throughout our lives. That doesn’t mean the end. It doesn’t mean God is done with us; it just means it’s time to reevaluate things.
Let’s also remember we’re not in this thing alone. It just means being trite and sane; we all have Jesus because we know that. That’s a given. But we have each other. As we progress further into these last days, we’re going to need each other. We’re going to have to be willing to cross denominational lines to meet each other’s needs and support one another.
And that’s why it’s so important to be a part of a church community. And not just locally, but remember we’re part of something bigger than us. We have brothers and sisters all around the world on Sunday will all worship the King Jesus together.
Lest I ramble any longer, let me close by sharing two more Scriptures with you to meditate upon. See 1 Peter 2:5 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23:
- 1 Peter 2:5: “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
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