Grace Community Church

Managing Discontent

*The article below is was written/taught by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro at New Hope O'ahu for the School of Church Planters Class. (Notes transcribed by Trevor L Drinen)

Though out life we will need to be corrected, but we also have to develop an internal system to monitor our growth so we can correct ourselves.

            •           Privilege and Discontent

God gives us a great privilege and after a period of time - the privilege becomes an expectation.

When the expectation is not met, it turns into discontent.

Example:

We are hired / brought on staff, because someone believed in us. Someone gave us a privilege to work.  After a while, we get bothered by what we don't receive. A sense of discontent settles into and it's not because of anything that is justified, but because of something that is perceived - a perceived injustice.

Two basic types of offenses: 1) Perceived injustice.  2) Pure injustice.

Discontent will happen in life. It may be based on a pure injustice; however, a lot of it may be based on perceived in justice.

Usually, we will not be able to tell the difference between a perceived injustice — which is not a true injustice — or a pure injustice, which is the reality - at first.

Know they are both every bit as destructive, septic and toxic.

So, how does one manage discontent?
            •           Resilience and Complaint

Complain. We deal with it like a steam vent, letting it out a little bit.

1 Cor. 10:10 reads, “Nor grumble [complain] as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer."

When we complain to others, we cause their discontent to rise. They start to shoulder another’s offense.

Warning: Discontent can destroy a whole church because the level of discontent is managed wrong!

Individually you will come to the limits of your tolerance and you will find yourself unable to function - manage discontent.

How?

Starting place: "Cry out to God"

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit” -Ps. 51:10-12.

The psalmist says create a willing spirit, not a spirit of discontent, because we can be fueled by discontent. If we remove discontent incorrectly, it will come out in offense and bitterness.

Warning: Offense and bitterness are like drinking poison and excepting it to harm someone else.  

We take offense and bitterness with us though the wounds they create; unless, we learn to deal with discontent correctly.

How does this affect us?
            •           The Joy Factor

Neh 8:10 reads, “… the joy of the Lord is your strength."

How we handle trials is important because it is interconnected with our joy.

Solution?

            •           Biblical Resolution

Make time to pray daily.

Why?

Prayer shines a light on our discontent. It will distinguish what is perceived and what is real.

What happen then?

When discontent drops, our joy level increases.

So, what does prayer add / subtract?

Prayer is critical — not only does it bring honesty, it brings discernment. We can discern truth from error.

Here's where courage steps in

            •           Courage
Courage to reach resolution.

1st - Courage to allow God's Spirit to shine His light so that we are transparent (able to be honest with ourselves).

Transparency comes through prayer.

And then learning to appeal to those in authority or someone who can speak into our life.


Another thing needed to reach resolution is:
            •           Love

What?

Love what God is doing in our lives.

Love the good and the challenges - this stances allow us to be motivated and courageous enough to deal with things at hand.

Conclusion:
Somebody has to speak into our life and we have to be open. Then, and only then, will we understand courage and the love that constrains us. We will be able to manage discontent and increase the joy of the Lord.

By Pastor Wayne Cordeiro - New Hope Christian Fellowship