Does Your Soul Rumble With Discontent?
Contentment is a godly pursuit—except when it isn't
I have a rumbling discontent in my soul. And to figure out why, I reached back to a memory decades ago. So journey with me for a sec and imagine 16-year-old Seana.
I stood on a fountain in the middle of a small town in Venezuela and preached the gospel on a mission trip. A local teenager saw our skits, heard the message, and then joined our group for the rest of the week as we gathered neighborhood kids to play beanbag toss, sing Bible songs, and talk about Jesus. By the end of the week, she confessed her faith in Jesus.
That was more than twenty-five years ago.
Now, where’s the girl who preached from a fountain?
She’s busy with doctor appointments for her oldest and freelance deadlines to help support her family. She’s busy with deciding if she should make Greek chicken or baked potato soup for dinner and managing what feels like a tour bus company of afterschool activities.
And I’m discontent (can I speak honestly here?).
What are the stirrings in your heart? The discontent you feel?
As I recently took these rumblings to the Lord in prayer, the Apostle Paul’s words rang in my mind. “I have learned to be content in any circumstance.”
Are we to be content instead of explore the rumblings in our hearts? Is this what Paul meant?
I don’t think so. This one verse might mean something different than what it looks like at first glance.
The Apostle Paul’s Teaching on Contentment
Philippians 4:10–13
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
If we look at this short passage and the surrounding context, Paul was not talking about being content, so as to not follow the God-honoring rumblings and passions of our heart. He was declaring that as he followed his passion to share the gospel—as he followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to travel from one place to the next planting churches—he learned to be content with his resources (or lack thereof).
For Paul, following the leading of the Spirit was his satisfaction. Should it not be ours as well? Wherever we are—whether at home or the office, in a season of trial or a season of peace?
I think that contentment and satisfaction should be found in following Jesus with all that we are. But contentment is not our goal—following Jesus is.
When we become content in our jobs, homes, relationships—and forget we are people on a mission to seek and save the lost, to follow Jesus, this kind of contentment is spiritual sloth.
Discerning in Our Discontent
So, what is this discontent that plagues our hearts at times? Sometimes, it’s sin. Sometimes, it is the condition of the human heart to be jealous and greedy. We can see this in the Ten Commandments, “Do not covet”(long for something someone else has).
Sometimes, our discontent is rooted on our pride or selfishness (I’m speaking for myself here at times).
But let me suggest something: when we see someone else having or doing something that surges a tinge of jealousy within us—let’s stop and take account of our heart. It might not be sin.
Let’s discern our discontent.
Sometimes, the discontent we sense in life is a calling toward a change we need to make, not just something we need to resist.
Five Questions to Ask When We Feel Discontent:
What am I actually discontent about? Name it. Clarify it. Write it down.
Is this discontent sin? (What biblical truth reveals it as sin?) OR
Is this discontent revealing an unmet desire that honors the Lord? (What biblical truth/scripture can be applied here?)
What is my next step? If it’s sin, confess and repent and then walk in practices that keep in line with that repentance. If it is a desire that honors the Lord, what is the next step you can take toward that change?
What is the practice or rhythm I need to start/stop to make this change? Name it. Plan it. Do it.
NOTE: In this season of life, my discontent cannot be changed overnight. I’ve got big dreams for ministry that cannot be fully pursued in the middle of the good season of raising a family and helping financially support us. My discontent is not sin—it reveals the God-honoring rumbles in my heart. But it is also not feasible in this season of life to run after it with full gusto. Sometimes seeking God and waiting on Him is our next step in our discontentment. At least, that’s my next step.
Reflect:
Is there anything in your life where you feel discontent?
Pray about this. Sit for a moment in silence. What might the Spirit be whispering in reply? Write it down.
Remember the Spirit of God only speaks what is consistent with the Word of God. If you think the Spirit is saying something, what in God’s Word confirms that? What in God’s Word might correct that thought? For me, I sense the Spirit whispering to me, “Wait upon the Lord, take courage. Trust Him.” All of which can be confirmed in scripture (see Psalm 27:14, Proverbs 3:5–6).
Well Soul Life Devotional Podcast
Women in the Old Testament Story: Hagar
In the Story of the Bible we learn who God is, who we are, and how to have a relationship with Him—and the future hope that awaits. We hear about Abraham, David, and Jesus—Paul and the Apostles. but we often miss the women in the story—women whose names and presence can be read in black and white on the pages (or screens) of Scripture. Who are they? How do their lives contribute to the story of God? What can we learn from them? We explore this in our series: Women in the Old Testament Story.
From the Podcast: The God Who Sees
Abram and Sarai were not content with Sarai’s barrenness and instead of waiting on the Lord, they took matters into their own hands by following a cultural custom to raise up children through an ancient version of surrogacy. Whereas, a woman (Sarai) would give her husband (Abram) one of her slaves (Hagar) to give birth to a child who would then become the legal child of Sarai and Abram.
But things got complicated.
Whenever we do things our own way instead of God’s way, it causes disarray.
Listen to this week’s devotional podcast for more.
New Here?
My name is Seana and I have been in ministry leadership for almost 25 years in various capacities, but for many of those years I lived with an anxious soul.
Jesus said He gives us His peace (his wholeness/shalom), so then why did I not experience His peace on a regular basis? (John 14:27)
Through a season of deep wrestling, I discovered in order experience God’s peace, I needed to walk with him closely. I needed to grow in three areas of my life: knowing God’s Word, spiritual practices, and intentional living.
I started, step by step.
I attended seminary (Dallas Theological) to learn how to know God’s Word, I took up learning spiritual practices (like biblical meditation, fasting, and journaling), and I started to live with purpose through introspection, goal setting, and creating life rhythms.
The more I grew in learning and living God’s Word;
The more I grew in spiritual practices;
The more I discovered my purpose and lived intentionally;
the more I lived with a well soul.
It is now my passion to invite others along the journey of growing in our intimacy with God through knowing God’s Word, walking with God, and living with purpose.
I create content to help us grow through:
A weekly devotional podcast.
A weekly Well Soul newsletter with devotions, resources, and encouragement (what you are reading now).
Articles at WellSoulLife.com.
Social media content (IG and YT @WellSoulLife).
It is my hope as we journey together and share our stories, we each will know God and walk with him intimately—and live with a Well Soul.
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I loved your take on discerning the source of discontentment. Is it a sinful attitude or a nudge from God out of complacency? The questions you suggested were very helpful.