Dealing With Discontent

A fussy customer regularly eats at a restaurant. With considerable effort, the chef produced an excellent meal that even this customer could not possibly complain about.  Calling the chef to complain, the customer said, “I am complaining about the fact I can’t find anything to complain about.”

Have you ever felt dissatisfied, disgruntled or discontented about any situation or about various people in positions of authority?  Perhaps you complained, grumbled and murmured with others.  And you feel justified in doing so because you felt that the people in charge were doing such a bad job.  I came from Malaysia and there it is a national past time to complain about the government, especially amongst the minority races.  There are elements of these in Australia as well, where I reside today.

Sometimes it may seem like we enter into a “winter of discontent” and the chills of such discontent can begin to penetrate into our souls.  In this article today, our focus will not be the matter of avoiding discontent in general or how to become contented.  Rather it will be a narrower focus of discontentment with God’s leadership or His appointed leadership.  We will examine 4 aspects about dealing with discontent from the incident of Exodus 17.

DISCONTENT KEPT HOLY

Exodus 17:1–2 (NIV) “1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.””

As the Israelites were led by God from one place to another, they finally camped at Rephidim.  But here there was no water to drink and people got very discontented and began to grumble and quarrel with Moses, their leader.  They were discontented. However, we need to understand a couple of things.

Discontent will occur

Exodus 17:1 (NIV) "…but there was no water to drink."

We will never be fully satisfied or contented about everything. But some seem to find it harder to be contented. Some are simply critical.  Those with unrealistic expectations will tend to become discontented more easily.  Those with high expectations or high standards can suffer the same. Even those with reasonable, realistic expectations can occasionally become discontented. Yet not all discontentment is wrong before God.  There is discontentment that can be kept holy before God.

What holy discontent is not

Discontent arises out of dissatisfaction of an existing situation.  This discontent can be unholy in its attitudes.

Exodus 17:2 (NIV) “Why do you quarrel with me?”

The Israelite’s discontentment was not right before God as the Scriptures describe it as “testing” God’s patience. Discontent arises out of dissatisfaction of an existing situation.  This discontent can be unholy in its attitudes, as we observe in this passage.  On the other hand, it can be holy in its attitudes.  To adequately distinguish between these, we must first understand about the contentment that Scriptures encourages us to have. 1 Tim 6:6 (NIV) “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”  It appears that contentment is complementary to godliness. 

Does that mean to be godly, I must remain contented and passive about everything? Phil 4:11-12 (NIV) “ 11…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” 

Personal contentment should not be reliant on what we possess or don’t possess. 

At first glance, Phil 4:11-12 seems to challenge us to be contented regardless of any circumstances.  Just accept the situation! But a more careful reading helps us recognise that the biblical emphasis is personal contentment found in God.  Note that every situation Apostle Paul describes in Phil 4:11-12 relates to his personal situation.  Personal contentment should not be reliant on what we possess or don’t possess.  Heb 13:5 (NIV) “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.””

The reason why we can attain to personal contentment is because we trust God and depend on Him, not ourselves nor the product of our hands.  That is why Paul states in Phil 4:13 (NIV) “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

You can be contented if your focus is God-ward.  Discontent is unholy when it is self-ward and selfish. 

The Bible is not saying, just accept everything and you will be contented.  It says you will have personal contentment when you place your trust in God.  You will never be contented if your focus is self-ward.  You can be contented if your focus is God-ward.  Discontent is unholy when it is self-ward and selfish. When it is more interested in our own personal needs.  The Israelites quarrelled with Moses because their primary concern was themselves.  There was no concern about Moses’ needs or God’s purposes.

“Nothing is more displeasing to God than complaining saints.” Croft M. Pentz.

Discontent is unholy when we complain about our government because it does not give us enough financial support or resources to meet our own personal self-centred needs.  Discontent is unholy when we are unhappy with our parents because they do not allow us to have what we want for ourselves. Discontent is unholy when we are unhappy with our spouse not meeting our needs the way we expect.  Discontent is unholy when we are unhappy with our small group leaders because they do not meet our needs the way we want it.

“Complaining about our lot in life might seem quite innocent in itself, but God takes it personally.” Erwin W. Lutzer

So what is holy discontent about?

What holy discontent is

Discontent can be holy when it is God-ward.  When our focus is God-ward, we begin to see from God’s perspective about situations that need to change.  Isa 58:6 (NIV) “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”  True fasting brings us into God’s perspective, and we gain God’s discontent over unjust situations.

Holy discontent is about gaining God’s discontent. 

Holy discontent is about gaining God’s discontent.  Holy discontent is about having righteous attitudes towards sin, injustice, poverty, oppression, etc.  Holy discontent is therefore not focussed on our own needs but the needs of others. 1 Cor 10:24 (NIV) “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

Holy discontent was seen in David’s dissatisfaction with the Israelites response to Goliath’s taunts (1 Sam 17:4-47). In 1 Sam 17:45 (NIV) “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”   David’s concern was defiance of God!

Discontent is holy when we are concerned about our government’s ineptitude or lack of care for its citizens. Discontent is holy when we are troubled with the unfair way our parents are treating the rest of the family. Discontent is holy when we are concerned about our spouses’ lack of sensitivity to people’s needs.  Discontent is holy when we are uneasy with our small group leaders lack of care in running their group.  Such holy discontent will move us to act in a positive manner.

In all these, God can help us keep our discontent holy!

DISCONTENT KEPT RESPECTFUL

Exodus 17:2-4 (NIV) 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?” 3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” 4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 

Discontent often brings about strong feelings and stir passions.  Yet in the midst of such stirring passions, it is important to maintain respect.  Such respect should be maintained in two aspects.

Respectful of God’s anointed

The Israelites did not treat Moses with respect nor did they understand that by disrespecting Moses they were also disrespecting God who appointed Moses.  Moses understood this by immediately pointing out that their quarrel with him was in fact a quarrel with God, who appointed Moses and who led them to Rephidim.

A danger of discontent is that we tend to focus on those whom we perceive to be the source of our discontent.  Usually, it is towards those in authority.

A danger of discontent is that we tend to focus on those whom we perceive to be the source of our discontent.  Usually, it is towards those in authority.  Whether our parents, teachers, government officials, church leaders and so forth. However, Scripture is clear that God puts all authority into place. Rom 13:1 - 2 (NIV) “ 1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” 

If we rebel against authority, we are rebelling against the office of authority that God had instituted.  When we rebel against the government, in effect we rebel against the office of government that God had established.  When we rebel against our parents, we rebel against the authority of parents that God has established.  When we rebel against spiritual leaders, we rebel against the authority that God has established.

It is important to maintain respect for all in authority.  Even when we disagree, are dissatisfied or discontented.

Hence it is important to maintain respect for all in authority.  Even when we disagree, are dissatisfied or discontented. Further, the Scriptures exhort us to give particular respect to the servants of God. Those who have chosen to serve God. 1 Tim 5:17 (NIV) “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” 

We should consider how we are giving due respect to the servants of God. How are you giving respect your small group leaders and so forth?  Or shepherd?

Respectful in actions

The Israelites were disrespectful in their actions towards Moses.  Not only did they quarrel with him, they even threatened to stone him.  Our respect for God’s anointed should be shown in action.  Even when we are unhappy about a situation.

We should speak politely, respectfully. Even Daniel’s 3 friends continued to be respectful to King Nebuchadnezzar who was about to kill them in a fiery furnace Dan 3:16-17 (NIV) “O Nebuchadnezzar…O King”.

We should speak politely, respectfully.  Not quarrelling and threatening as the Israelites were to Moses.  That is why we would not allow our children to speak disrespectfully to us as parents.  No shouting or quarrelling with us.  If they disagree, they can voice it out, but respectfully.

We should not undermine the authority by actively attacking it. Even though David had many people join him who were unhappy with King Saul, David never led them to attack King Saul or to stir revolt against the king. David did not lead a grumbling, complaining campaign against King Saul. In the end, God honoured David by giving him the kingship. Let us determine to be respectful in all our actions.

DISCONTENT WITH DISCERNMENT

Exodus 17:3 (NIV) “But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?””

The people continued to blame Moses without any regard for God’s divine purposes in bringing them out of Egypt.  Simply because there were challenges, they failed to look beyond to discern whether God had His purposes.  After all, God had led them every step of the way. 

At times, God allows us to face difficult situations or to be involved in unsatisfactory situations for various reasons.  It may be to test us, to reveal our true heart condition. Deut 8:2 (NIV) “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.” 

It may be to grow us, to mature us.  Heb 12:11 (NIV) No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

If God is seeking to test or grow us rather than to bring about change, then we should not to allow discontent to develop in our hearts. 

It may be to motivate us to bring about godly change, as we will discuss below.  Hence, it is helpful if we can discern what God has in mind.  If God is seeking to test or grow us rather than to bring about change, then we should not to allow discontent to develop in our hearts.  Rather we need to be patient with the dealings of God.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr.

DISCONTENT BRINGING RIGHT ACTIONS

Exodus 17:5–7 (NIV) “5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah  and Meribah  because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?””

If we can keep our discontent holy and respectful, the discontent could motivate us to bring about positive and godly change.

The discontent amongst the Israelites drove Moses to seek God and find divine solutions. Here, Moses acted rightly in this difficult situation.  Consequently, he found God’s provision. At times, God allows for us to experience discontent and in fact, at times God may stir such a burden in our hearts to bring godly change.  If we can keep our discontent holy and respectful, the discontent could motivate us to bring about positive and godly change.

Discontent can lead to innovative solutions. In Exodus 18, Jethro was dissatisfied with Moses’ ineffective handling of the legal system. Moses as the only judge was a great bottleneck. Jethro respectfully offered a creative system that fixed the problems.  Sometimes in our workplaces or church, we may be discontent with how situations are being handled.  Instead of grumbling or causing division, we can think of creative solutions and respectfully and humbly offer them to those who have the authority to implement them.

“Restlessness and discontent are the necessities of progress.” Thomas Alva Edison

Nelson Mandela started as a discontented and violent opposition to the unjust South African apartheid.  He was arrested and thrown into prison.  While in jail, his discontent remained, yet he decided to deal with the injustices through peaceful and respectful means.  Largely because he learnt to work through these appropriate measures, apartheid was officially abolished.

Discontent can lead to intercession.  Jeremiah and Isaiah were discontent with the state of their nation. This discontent led them to weep and intercede and plead with God for their nation. Out of these intercessions God spoke to them about the nation and these men were able to understand God’s heart even though the nation was thick skinned and slow to repent. Sometimes it seems that nobody listens Yet in such times you can seek God’s face and get His perspective and revelation. Be careful not to allow bitterness or pride to cut us off from the grace of God.

Discontent can lead to change in the church. Martin Luther (1483-1546) was discontent with the discrepancies he found between Scripture and the official practises of the Catholic Church.  This discontent stirred him to write a thesis outlining the issues and posting it for discussion. Through his careful study and writings, a new movement of faithful believers, the Reformers started to clean up doctrines that had strayed from God’s word.  Yet Martin Luther himself did not want to “split” the church.  He was horrified when many of his followers became violent towards the established church.

In fact, the term “Protestant” was a term he was not eager to have pinned on him, because he was eager to display and demonstrate the same grace of God that he was trying to convince people of. He felt that one of the best ways to do this was to walk in the fruit of the Spirit in the character of God, and not the anger of man.

Discontent can lead to changes to society. Sometimes God will stir us to understand why a situation is not pleasing to Him, and this may create a holy discontent within us. We should keep a sweet spirit while looking for godly ways to persuade people to the truth. It is not God’s way to shoot doctors who perform abortions. We do need godly Christians of character, discretion, wisdom, endurance and grace to lead the way in turning these laws around.

William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was stirred by the revelations of the inhuman treatment of slaves. His discontent was the key reason he decided to be a politician instead of becoming a preacher.  He devoted most of his political life to abolishing slavery and succeeded in the British colonies.

Rev Martin Luther King Jr was discontent with the abominable treatment of African Americans during the 1950’s and 60’s. He could not condone the violent retaliation and riots he saw breaking out all over America. He led a peaceful movement for change that led to laws being passed to protect the original intentions of America’s founders to treat all Americans as equals and thus provide for the rights and safety of all Americans.

Holy discontent plus character makes the greatest and longest lasting impact.

Often it is not just discontent, but holy discontent plus character makes the greatest and longest lasting impact. For they will do what is right.

CONCLUSION

Let our discontent be God’s discontent.  Let’s keep our discontent holy!  Keep it respectful.  Let our discontent be discerning.  Let our holy discontent move us towards right actions!  Then a holy discontent will lead to godly outcomes that pleases God.

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