Jan 7
Trial of Discontent
What happen to you last year? I am not asking, did you have a car wreck, or change your hair color. I mean, in the grand scope of things, “What happened?” Many that I talk to, especially those in ministry say it was a year of difficult decisions, or frustration. Much of that frustration, when traced back to the root source is actually driven by discontent. Discontent with where they were, what was happening, or what they were doing. Nothing seemed to produce the satisfaction anticipated for the effort expended. Discontent mounts, so decisions are made because things just were not right, something needed to change! Then frustration ensues, as you can’t decide what to decide. Perhaps you decided, but did not know how to do what you decided to do. Ugh! Greater discontent!
My friend Bob Jones says 2007 was the year of discontent. I say that is too light of a term - it was the “Trial of Discontent.” It was a year of trial or test and God was using discontent as the line of demarcation to see who would act, speak, prophesy, or move before He did. Discontent causes us to look elsewhere for fulfillment and it seemingly seizes control of our soul (mind, will, emotions). When discontent hits us, we cannot think, or perceive the way we used to. You see discontent can be a driving force and only those who have God’s agenda can overcome their own – it is one of the great prophetic tests. Discontent is a trial and many have been found, to use an Old Testament term, “wanting.” They spoke too soon, acted too soon, and/or prophesied too soon. Those choices always lead to pain.
What Bob and I have found is that God protects us where He has us. 2007 was, in God’s eyes, a year of protection in the time of our discontent. Many left that protection. When we are driven by discontent, we will always find pain.
Sure, to stay until God sends us is not always a picnic. Joseph ended up in prison by doing this. But, God meant it for good and that is the point. Do not run from that which God means for your good. It is what makes great leaders great!
The antidote to discontent is contentment. One great leader, the Apostle Paul, once wrote, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.” Philippians 4:11-12
May it be so with you. Be a sent one.
Sincerely,
John Paul Jackson
24 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Loading ...
I just love the part where you said, “you couldn’t decide what to decide.” That seemed to be the story of our lives last year……..then God moved us almost 12 hours away from where we’d lived all our lives……..talk about a decision! Now, we’re in this new place and I am personally expecting God to do something great ! Thank God 2007 is gone……wheh! It seems like all of us in the Body of Christ are saying, “yippee 2008 has got to be good for us because 2007 was like you said- the “Trial of Discontent.”
John Paul Jackson, I love and bless you ! God has used you to encourage me all along the discontented way. I was so discouraged recently, but I turned on GOD TV and there you were talking about God placing us all geographically where He wants us to be.
You’ve mentored me for years even though we’ve never met. I love God’s light that flows through you. Praise God, He’s awesome! God bless your family!
Anna
can find true peace and contentment in His presence. Yes, we need to have a purpose in life and feel as if we are fulfilling our destinies, but our real fulfillment is knowing Jesus and walking with Him. He will direct our paths so we don’t have to fear…if we really trust Him. Believe and Trust. Period.
and discontent … can be a landing path for a content GOD and a content making God - He allows us to become broken and dry and heartwrecked, discontent so we would come back to Him, always after us, always, hoping always loving always redeeming always restoring, if 2007 was a year of discontent, and I think i myself had the worst nightmares ever, in every sense of the word, than 2008 is a year of new beginnings, in the latin number but also in hebrew this year end with 8 or the letter chet meaning eight, which - so they say - means new beginnings - I have had a fresh start, hope, and His endearing wooing Holy spirit calling me back to my first love, in these first days of 2008. Thank you John Paul for these daily insights, I am having coffee with you in Israel, as well… “cafe hafuch” we call it here
have a wonderful day, a hug and a kiss from the land of my dreams
Wow, that is so cool. We have been going through that at our church and it has been preached here in Virginia.
It is so awesome how that happens.
Thanks for that eye-opener, John Paul. I never viewed discontentment as a test but I can certainly see how it would be. I think I’m in the “silent years” of my walk with God so its easy to get discontented. Now if I can just remember this the next time it comes around !!!
Thanks for that eye-opener, John Paul !!!
Another excellent post, thanks for the challenging commentary.
I agree, and I for one am happy to see the end of 2007 as well as the new beginnings of 2008. I recently told my people that the difference between great people and ordinary people is that great people never quit. May we never be duped into quitting by discontentment.
Z
This word is exactly what I experienced in 2007. There were great tests of discontentment, yet the Lord is FAITHFUL.
He mercifully spoke Romans 8:28 to me, again and again, and with that gave Grace to receive the truth of it… I am staying put until He sends me else where.
Thank you for this great encouragement!
“Do not run from that which God means for your good. It is what makes great leaders great!”
I’ve just been reading a story by Francene Rivers called “The Scribe.” It is the story of Silas as he journeyed with Paul. Over and over again it runs through the theme of “Do not run from that which God means for your good.” This post just added in my desire to take a leap in faith… whether it is easy or hard is not for me to choose! The only choice I need to be concerned with is saying yes Lord I will see this through to the end… for your glory and for my good!
It is so comforting to hear that I am not the only one who has gone through a year of discontent. It certainly has felt that way, even though I knew it wasn’t so.
Could you clarify this encouraging message a little for me? Are you saying that ‘2007 was a year that many went through the trial of discontent because they spoke/prophesied too soon, like Joseph. However, since God works all things together for the good, he will use the mess around me to forge me as a leader (inasmuch as walk with the Spirit)….’
Either way, thank you for sharing this. It is a comfort to my heart.
-John
Here in the midwest, we sometimes experience the four seasons all on the span of a week, sometimes a day. Going from air conditioning to the furnace is crazy, but it happens. We pray for, seek, hope, for peace in our selves, and only when the day is over do we see the progress made outside of our own abilities. As those seasons change, our focus stays; your words are so true, the antidote! Contend, stay, don’t give up.
What is the line between discontent and tolerating the intolerable?
John Paul, what a blessing your post has been! Indeed it was the year of discontent. In our hearts we knew that God had more for us to lay hold of in terms of ministry. We had several prophetic people who seemed agitated and downright disappointed that we were not launching out in a greater measure. Our sense of discontent intensified, only to seek the Lord and sense that He was not issuing marching orders. He told us once as we feared we might not be moving with the cloud, that He makes all things beautiful in his time.
A powerful word brother.
2007 for me and some others could have been one of discontent, but it was a year of revelation. The Creator revealed/uncovered his will for us and gave us the strength to walk in it.
Last year I experienced many trials, one being the nasty southeast drought. As the Lord guided, fortified and provided for me and others through each trial, imprinted more firmly in my mind were the words of the prophet Malachi: “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Mal 3:3) All of us are called to be of a royal priesthood. As the Lord raises us up to where he wants us to be we may find ourselves experiencing growing pains but we must always say, “The world behind us, the prize before us. No turning back, no turning back.” Be encouraged in the Lord, our maker and finisher of our faith.
You hit the nail on the head! I was exceedingly discontent in 2007! It was actually miserable at times, but overall it really was a good experience. Here’s why: 1. It helped me to clarify my calling and what I really want to do. 2. It caused me to reiterate to God that I want His will for my life; to be content whether it be small, difficult, modest, or seemingly insignificant. 3. Likewise, it caused me to seek Him again - not a calling, healing or anything else - but just Him - His heart, not his hand. 4. Finally, it helped me to say: I’m not going to let obstacles discourage me as much. When God releases me to go or do, I’m just going to do it - in all my insufficiency, I’m just going to do the best I can- trusting Him for the everything else! Thank you for clarifying what was happening. Now I am encouraged and no longer feel that it was something “wrong w/ me”. I have a feeling that 2008 is going to be a time of more boldness in stepping out of the box.
“I saw a divine dissatisfaction which leads to brokenness that God cannot ignore nor stay a way from. In all your keeping, keep on keeping that.” Pastor Peter from Kenya shared this with a friend of mine. In light of what his country is going through, it made me really think back to your blog, and this past season of discontent…
It always helps me so much just to be reminded that God is not surprised by anything.
He is creator, master, life changer.
Thanks for pointing me to this blog and to this post in particular. Your words in this post are powerful and lifegiving and I am grateful to you for your obedience. 2007 was indeed a year of discontent for me and for my congregation, but we have great expectations that the time to move is come in 2008. May God abundantly bless you as you continue in all that He has called you to and my this blog continue to become a personal word of encouragement to those who read it.
Another year in the coral, will I ever be released, as prophesied 35 years ago, into the fields of harvest. The Lord said it would be out there a ways and to go ahead and raise a family and go about the normal things of life, and in due time He would launch us into the fields of harvest. The family is grown and gone and my wife and I waite in wonderment and worship for that day. Don’t get me wrong I have been involved in prison, street, JV hall,and many other forms of outreach for the last 35 yrs, but the launching into full time, out of the coral, minestry is still in the wating. The only thing the Lord keeps telling me is to WORSHIP, WORSHIP, DRAW NEARER TO ME, I WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU. So that is my 2008 res TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOU for therin is the answer to all ?’s, worries, frettings, discontentments…..I so love you My precious Lord…….Amen….and a few women Ha Ha
Tears came when I realized that I could describe 2007 as indeed my year of great discontent. What I had hoped to do, receive, etc.,in 2007 and thinking that I was truly hearing from God… well it didn’t come to pass and was I (maybe still?) angry. Again Proverbs 3:5,6(my continually, maddeningly appropriate life verse)has me on my knees (also appropriate). I guess seeing your words made what I endured in 2007 more acceptable (a better perspective, perhaps)than my wondering if I had actually lost my mind or had made it all up. Thank you.
John Paul,
I hear you loud and clear. 2007 was a restless time for me and I have started 2008 with the same restlessness. I was hoping for a change in departments at my job by December and it did not happen. Lately, I have been considering other departments simply to escape what I am currently doing. God spoke to me through your posting that if I jump at things that I am not called to I would be giving birth to an “Ishmael” and I do not want that. Thank you for the gentle rebuke, it is what I needed to hear. God bless you!
Thank you for teaching me so much. I am so thankful for your ministry. God Bless you a hundred fold for your obedience.
How do you walk up to a blog and say this is me? I guess you just cut to the chase. I thought this last year was more like a T in the road. One path was towards God and the other away. I chose away from God….I think. I’m not really sure what I’m doing. However, I quit going to church early last year. I don’t know how I could ever have that passion or zeal for God ever again. Things were working their way in this direction for a number of years in any case. 2007 to me was more like a ‘nail in the coffin year.’ I’m glad to hear someone say it was that kind of a year. Maybe I wasn’t the only one. This year (2008) just has to be better.
I’m not sure what else to say except it feels strange on this side of the fence looking back at those who have chosen to continue to be faithful amidst their trials. It is odd to blog here and be one who is “wanting.” I know after this year I am not strong enough to be an ‘overcomer.’ I had always thought myself so strong. I’m not a very good Job.
Yeah 07 was rough for me too, I thought God called me to a different state in 06 then 07 was SO HARD I thought maybe I had made a mistake….just knowing that alot of other christians were experiencing the same trials of discontentment comforts me and encourages me to wait on the Lord and He will direct my path. I certainly drew closer for more intimacy with Jesus since I experienced the discomfort of 07 hoping not to make any more mistakes. It’s all a growing process and I’m glad to go thru it and learn from it…I learned to trust Him more and me less, thank God He uses the foolish things (like me)
Your closing words, “Be a sent one,” catch my breath and lead me to reconsider 2007. It began for my husband and me with enthusiasm and great expectations. A church planting team was being assembled to establish a five fold ministry in a neighboring county. Dave and I had often discussed our shared desire to see the Lord’s church return to His foundation and structure as demonstrated in the first century church.
We signed on, eagerly anticipating what God would do in such an effort. After three months of meeting and preparation to launch, Dave and I found ourselves struggling with what we were seeing in the appointed leader, versus what he represented himself and our effort to be. Our discontent and frustration mounted. Then the Lord gave us a word of caution, reminding us of Aaron and Miriam in their unwise opposition to their brother, Moses. We quickly “stood down” in our hearts and submitted to the Lord and to the leader as servants. Four more months passed before the leader spoke that our role had been completed and we were released to return to our home church.
We are so grateful for the young prophetic voice that brought the Lord’s correction, and for the Spirit’s help to receive and obey for our good and His glory! As 2008 begins, we see that our Father did have something much greater in store than what we could see one year ago. It was truly a Trial of Discontent for us, and by His grace it looks like we passed!
We thank God for your service to Him, John Paul, for teaching our family how to hear and obey our Lord Jesus! May Father’s abundance be released for you and yours to a new level today and without end!